‘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.

I looked all about, A strange sight I did see. No tinsel, no presents, Not even a tree.

No stocking by mantle, Just boots filled with sand, On the wall hung pictures Of far distant lands.

With medals and badges, Awards of all kinds, A sober thought Came through in my mind.

For this house was different, It was dark and dreary, I found the home of a soldier, Once I could see clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping, Silent, alone, Curled up on the floor In this one bedroom home.

The face was so gentle, The room in such disorder, Not how I pictured A United States soldier.

Was this the hero Of whom I’d just read? Curled up on a poncho, The floor for a bed!

I realized the families That I saw this night, Owed their lives to these soldiers Who were willing to fight.

Soon round the world, The children would play, And grown-ups would celebrate A bright Christmas Day.

They all enjoy freedom Each month of the year, Because of the soldiers, Like this one lying here.

I couldn’t help wondering How many lay alone, On a cold Christmas Eve, In a land far from home.

The very thought had Brought a tear to my eye, I dropped to my knees And started to cry.

The soldier awoke And 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 crops.”

The soldier rolled over And drifted to sleep, I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours, So silent and still And we both shivered that night, From the cold night’s chill.

I didn’t want to leave

On that Cold, Dark, Night, This guardian of honor So willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over, With a voice soft and pure, Whispered, “Carry on Santa, It’s Christmas Day, all is secure.”

One look at my watch, And I knew he was right. “Merry Christmas my friend, And to all a good night!”

This poem was written by a Marine stationed in Okinawa, Japan. The following is his request. It is more than reasonable … “Please: Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and much credit is due to the service men and women from around the globe, who fight for freedom, for being able to celebrate these festivities.

Let’s try in the small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us. Please, do your small part to plant this small seed.

A prayer for them all would be nice …. Light a candle for them on Christmas Day.”

Submitted by Merlin Steele, of Albert Lea, a World War II veteran