FOR ALL TROOPS out there~~~?

Question

T'WAS 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 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 DISORDER,
>
> NOT HOW I PICTURED,
>
> AN AUSTRALIAN 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 GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE,
>
> A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.
>
>
>
> THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM,
>
> EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
>
> BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
>
> LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.
>
>
>
> I COULDN'T HELP WONDER,
>
> HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
>
> ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE,
>
> IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.
>
>
>
> THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT,
>
> A TEAR TO MY EYE,
>
> I DROPPED TO MY KNEES,
>
> AND STARTED TO CRY.
>
>
>
> THE SOLDIER AWAKENED,
>
> 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 CORPS."
>
>
>
> 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,
>
> FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.
>
>
>
> I DID NOT 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,
>
> A ND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."
>
> This poem was written by an Australian Peacekeeping soldier
> stationed overseas. The following is his request. I think it is reasonable
>

artistag...sorry if you dont approve just thought this would be nice to put up..alot of others have posted simular..MERRY X-MAS

Thank-you to all who DO appreciate it..merry x-mas to every one...

Answer 1

this is the best thing i have ever heard and you have put it the best place on the yahoo q+a u could have............grates on it being so good

Answer 2

Very nice to post.

Answer 3

blessed his heart and whoever that was may Christmas be filled with joy

Answer 4

that was not a question but an absolutely brilliant poem.brill

Answer 5

Very cool.

Answer 6

a true solider would have shot Santa

always combat aware

Answer 7

This poem is at least a couple of years old......I think we've all read it in an email.

It is touching, yes. I liked it. But it doesn't belong here. It is not a question, and it shouldn't be in the "jokes and riddles" category, either.

Answer 8

that's sweet, thank you.

Answer 9

Thanks, it gives me pause to think.

Answer 10

Thanks. It gives me pleasure.