Some Military-related Christmas stories...

[3girls2dogs]

http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/

The Wreaths Across America story began over 15 years ago when Worcester Wreath Company (a for-profit commercial business from Harrington, Maine) began a tradition of placing wreaths on the headstones of our Nation's fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery. Over that period of time, Worcester Wreath has donated 75,000 wreaths which were placed by volunteers in a wreath-laying ceremony each December. This year, Worcester Wreath Company will do even more to show its respect and appreciation for those who serve, by doing the following:

More at link

 

[3girls2dogs]

Merry Christmas, My Friend​

'Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
In a one-bedroom house made of plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney, with presents to give
and to see just who in this home did live.​

As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand.
On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land.​

With medals and badges, awards of all kind,
a sobering thought soon came to my mind.
For this house was different, unlike any I’d seen.
This was the home of a U.S. Marine.​

I’d heard stories about them, I had to see more,
so I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone,
Curled up on the floor in his one-bedroom home.​

He seemed so gentle, his face so serene,
Not how I pictured a U.S. Marine.
Was this the hero, of whom I’d just read?
Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?​

His head was clean-shaven, his weathered face tan.
I soon understood, this was more than a man.
For I realized the families that I saw that night,
owed their lives to these men, who were willing to fight.​

Soon around the Nation, the children would play,
And grown-ups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year,
because of Marines like this one lying here.​

I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home.
Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye.
I dropped to my knees and I started to cry.​

He must have awoken, for I heard a rough voice,
“Santa, don’t cry, this life is my choice
I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more.
My life is my God, my country, my Corps.”​

With that he rolled over, drifted off into sleep,
I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep.
I watched him for hours, so silent and still.
I noticed he shivered from the cold night’s chill.​

So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
and covered this Marine from his toes to his head.
Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold,
with an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold.​

And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
and for one shining moment, I was Marine Corps deep inside.
I didn’t want to leave him so quiet in the night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.​

But half asleep he rolled over, and in a voice clean and pure,
said “Carry on, Santa, it’s Christmas Day, all secure.”
One look at my watch and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas my friend, Semper Fi and goodnight​

Contrary to what some try to say, this was written by James M. Schmidt in 1986 when he was a Lance Corporal stated at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. Many like to change the words around and make it about the Army. It was published in 1991 by Leatherneck Magazine, and since has taken on a life of its own.​

 

[Billnew]

Listened to this every day before work, since Dec1st.

Makes working with other Veterans easier.

Yours has a few extra lines, no covering the marine, or Santa stealing his t-shirt.
Mine is probably the "military" version rather then the original.

I didn't like that part. Because putting on a shirt or a hat, ribbon, etc, can't even come close to
making you feel like a soldier, Corp man, Airman, Sea man. That comes from dedicating yourself to ones country,
above all else. The Uniform is but wrapping paper, the true honor is the person inside.

 

[BoazB]

I can't remeber if it was Christmas Eve or if it was New Year's Eve, but a Portuguese guy who used to work on radios, came with a cake for the medics on duty - chocolate, hollow in the middle, filled with a hot chocolate sauce. He and his wife had nothing to gain out of giving the cake - they just wanted to treat the guys to something... and this from a man who probably lost everything leaving Angola (His original homeland.) (We, too, were also far from home.)

The thought was wonderful and the cake was....AMA zing.

 

[3girls2dogs]

That cake sounds yummy. We bring the gate guards stuck out there on Christmas eve In N Out every year. It isn't much, I know, but they always seem really happy to see it.