Merry Christmas

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.

[SIZE=2][COLOR=black]He seemed so gentle, his face so serene,[/COLOR][/SIZE]
[FONT=Arial][COLOR=black]Not how I pictured a U.S. Marine.[/COLOR].
[FONT=Arial][COLOR=black]Was this the hero, of whom I'd just read?[/COLOR].
[FONT=Arial][COLOR=black]Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?[/COLOR].

[FONT=Arial][COLOR=black][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=black]His head was clean-shaven, his weathered face tan.[/COLOR][/SIZE].
[SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][COLOR=black]I soon understood, this was more than a man.[/COLOR].[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][COLOR=black]For I realized the families that I saw that night,[/COLOR].[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][COLOR=black]owed their lives to these men, who were willing to fight.[/COLOR].[/SIZE]

[SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][COLOR=black][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=black]Soon around the Nation, the children would play,[/COLOR][/SIZE].
[SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][COLOR=black]And grown-ups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.[/COLOR].[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][COLOR=black]They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year,[/COLOR].[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][COLOR=black]because of Marines like this one lying here.[/COLOR].[/SIZE]

[SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][COLOR=black][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=black]I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone,[/COLOR][/SIZE].
[SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][COLOR=black]on a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home.[/COLOR].[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][COLOR=black]Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye.[/COLOR].[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][COLOR=black]I dropped to my knees and I started to cry.[/COLOR].[/SIZE]

[SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][COLOR=black][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=black]He must have awoken, for I heard a rough voice,[/COLOR][/SIZE].
[SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][COLOR=black]"Santa, don't cry, this life is my choice[/COLOR].[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][COLOR=black]I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more.[/COLOR].[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][COLOR=black]My life is my God, my country, my Corps."[/COLOR].[/SIZE]

[SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][COLOR=black][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=black]With that he rolled over, drifted off into sleep,[/COLOR][/SIZE].
[SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][COLOR=black]I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.[/COLOR].[/SIZE]

[SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][COLOR=black][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=black]I watched him for hours, so silent and still.[/COLOR][/SIZE].
[SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][COLOR=black]I noticed he shivered from the cold night's chill.[/COLOR].[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][COLOR=black]So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,[/COLOR].[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][COLOR=black]and covered this Marine from his toes to his head.[/COLOR].[/SIZE]

[SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][COLOR=black][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=black]Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold,[/COLOR][/SIZE].
[SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][COLOR=black]with an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold.[/COLOR].[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][COLOR=black]And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,[/COLOR].[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][COLOR=black]and for one shining moment, I was Marine Corps deep inside.[/COLOR].[/SIZE]

[SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][COLOR=black][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=black]I didn't want to leave him so quiet in the night,[/COLOR][/SIZE].
[SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][COLOR=black]this guardian of honor so willing to fight.[/COLOR].[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][COLOR=black]But half asleep he rolled over, and in a voice clean and pure,[/COLOR].[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][COLOR=black]said "Carry on, Santa, it's Christmas Day, all secure.[/COLOR].[/SIZE]

[SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][COLOR=black][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=black]One look at my watch and I knew he was right,[/COLOR][/SIZE].
[SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][COLOR=black]Merry Christmas my friend, Semper Fi and goodnight.[/COLOR].[/SIZE]
[/COLOR].[/SIZE][/COLOR].[/SIZE][/COLOR].[/SIZE][/COLOR].[/SIZE][/COLOR].[/SIZE][/COLOR].[/SIZE][/COLOR].[/SIZE][/COLOR].[/SIZE][/COLOR].

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Merry Christmas