a revision, but the same message. question the politicians if you like, but don't question the soldiers, marines, sailors, or airmen. remember who truly provides the freedom you enjoy. take care....<br /><br /> The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,<br /> I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.<br /><br /> My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,<br /> My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.<br /><br />Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,<br /> Transforming the yard to a winter delight.<br /><br /> The sparkling lights in the tree, I believe,<br /> Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.<br /><br /> My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,<br /> Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep<br /><br /> In perfect contentment, or so it would seem.<br /> So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.<br /><br /> The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,<br /> But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.<br /><br /> Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,<br /> Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.<br /><br /> My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,<br /> And I crept to the door just to see who was near.<br /><br /> Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,<br /> A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.<br /><br /> A Soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old<br /> Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.<br /><br /> Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,<br /> Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.<br /><br /> "What are you doing?" I asked without fear<br /> "Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!<br /><br /> Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,<br /> You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"<br /><br /> For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,<br /> Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts,<br /><br /> To the window that danced with a warm fire's light<br /> Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,<br /> I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night"<br /><br /> "It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,<br /> That separates you from the darkest of times.<br /><br /> No one had to ask or beg or implore me,<br /> I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.<br /> My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"<br /> Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always<br />remembers."<br /><br />My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam<br />And now it is my turn and so, here I am.<br /><br /> I've not seen my own son in more than a while,<br /> But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her<br />smile.<br /><br /> Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,<br /> The red white and blue... an American flag.<br /><br /> "I can live through the cold and the being alone,<br /> Away from my family, my house and my home,<br /><br /> I can stand at my post through the rain and the<br />sleet,<br /> I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat,<br /><br /> I can carry the weight of killing another<br /> Or lay down my life with my sister and brother<br /><br /> who stand at the front against any and all,<br /> to ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."<br /><br /> "So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright<br /> Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."<br /><br /> "But isn't there something I can do, at the least,<br /> "Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?<br /><br /> It seems all too little for all that you've done,<br /> For being away from your wife and your son."<br /><br /> Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,<br /> "Just tell us you love us, and never forget<br /><br /> To fight for our rights back at home while we're<br />gone.<br /> To stand your own watch, no matter how long.<br /><br /> For when we come home, either standing or dead,<br /> To know you remember we fought and we bled<br /><br /> is payment enough, and with that we will trust.<br /> That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.
