To one and all a very Merry Christmas and a true remembrance of what the season is really all about. I received the following from a former 119th CE, Harry Ramsey, who was my CE my last few weeks in Nam, after Touch went home. I thought you all might enjoy it.
Shoofly
A DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS POEM
>>The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room
>>and I cherished the sight.
>>
>>My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, My daughter beside me, angelic
>>in rest.
>>
>>Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, Transforming the yard to a
>>winter delight.
>>
>>The sparkling lights in the tree, I believe, Completed the magic that
>>was Christmas Eve.
>>
>>My eyelids were ! heavy, my breathing was deep, Secure and surrounded by
>>love I would sleep
>>
>>In perfect contentment, or so it would seem. So I slumbered, perhaps I
>>started to dream.
>>
>>The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near, But I opened my eyes when
>>it tickled my ear.
>>
>>Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the sure sound of
>>footsteps outside in the snow.
>>
>>My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear, And I crept to the door
>>just to see who was near.
>>
>>And there, out in the cold and the dark of the night, A lone figure
>>stood, his face weary and tight.
>>
>>A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old, Perhaps a Marine, huddled
>>here in the cold.
>>
>>Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled, Standing watch over me, and
>>my wife and my child.
>>
>>"What are you doing?" I asked without fear, "Come in this moment, it's
>>freezing out here!
>>
>>Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve, You should be at
>>home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
>>
>>For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift, Away from the cold and the
>>snow blown in drifts.
>>
>>To the window that danced with a warm fire's light Then he sighed and he
>>said "Its really all right, I'm out here by choice. I'm here every
>night.> "
>>
>>"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line, That separates you from
>>the darkest of times.
>>
>>No one had to ask or beg or implore me, I'm proud to stand here like my
>>fathers before me.
>>
>>My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December," Then he sighed, "That's
>>a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
>>
>>My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam', And now it is my turn
>>and so, here I am.
>>
>>I've not seen my own son in more than a while, But my wife sends me
>>pictures, he's sure got her smile.
>>
>>Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag, The red, white, and
>>blue... an American flag.
>>
>>"I can live through the cold and the being alone, Away from my family,
>>my house and my home."
>>
>>I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet, I can sleep in a
>>foxhole with little to eat.
>>
>>I can carry the weight of killing another, Or lay down my life with my
>>sister and brother
>>
>>Who stand at the front against any and all, To ensure for all time that
>>this flag will not fall."
>>
>>"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright, Your family is waiting
>>and I'll be all right."
>>
>>"But isn't there something I can do, at the least, "Give you money," I
>>asked, "or prepare you a feast?
>>
>>It seems all too little for all that you've done, For being away from
>>your wife and your son."
>>
>>Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret, "Just tell us you love
>>us, and never forget.
>>
>>To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone, To stand your own
>>watch, no matter how long.
>>
>>For when we come home, either standing or dead, To know you remember we
>>fought and we bled.
>>
>>Is payment enough, and with that we will trust, That we mattered to you
>>as you mattered to us.
| | | | | Inbox
Get the latest updates from MSN
MSN Home | My MSN | Hotmail | Search | Shopping | Money | People & Chat