american soldier night before christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, and he lived in a crowd, In a 40 man tent, with warriors so loud. I had come into the tent with presents to give, and to see just who in this rack did live. I looked all about, and a strange sight I did see, No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree. No stockings were hung, just boots close at hand, On the locker hung pictures of far distant lands. He had medals and............... badges and awards of all kind, And a sobering thought came into my mind. For this place was different, it was so dark and dreary, I had found the home of a Soldier, this I could see clearly. The Soldier lay sleeping, silent and alone, Curled up in his rack, dreaming of home. The face was so gentle, the barracks in such good order, But not how I pictured a United States Soldier. Was this the hero whom I saw on TV? Defending his country so we all could be free? I realized the families that I"ve seen 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 new Christmas Day. They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year, Because of the Soldiers, like the one lying here. I couldn"t help but 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, for this life is my choice." "Defend my country this day, the peace do I keep." The soldier then rolled over and drifted to sleep, I couldn"t control it, I continued to weep. I kept watch for hours so silent, so still, And we both shivered from the night"s cold 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 and with a voice soft and pure, Whispered, "Carry on Santa, it"s Christmas. All is Secure.

Great!!! I am going to borrow it and share with many.

Twas Night Before - Even in Muddy Korea
A Korean Christmas Carol

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the tent,
was the odor of fuel oil (the stove pipe was bent.)
The shoe packs were hung by the oil stove with care
in the hopes that they'd issue each man a new pair.
The weary Marines were sacked-out on their beds,
And visions of sugar-babies danced through their heads.
When up on the ridge line there rose such a clatter
(A Chinese machine gun had started to chatter.)
I rushed to my rifle and threw back the bolt.
The rest of my tent mates awoke with a jolt.

Outside we could hear Platoon Sgt Kelly,
a hardnosed man with little pot belly.
"Come Clancy, come Yancy, come Conners and Watson,
up Miller, up Shiller, up Baker and Dotson!
We tumbled outside in a swirl of confusion,
so cold that each man could have used a transfusion.
"Get up on that hilltop and silence that Red.
And don't you come back till your sure that he's dead.
Then putting his thumb in front of his nose
Sgt. Kelly took leave of us Joes.
But we all heard him say in a voice soft and light,
"Merry Christmas to all---may you live through the night."