A Soldier's Night Before Christmas

This special version of A Night Before Christmas was written by Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt in 1986 while he was stationed in Washington, D.C., according to Snopes.com. It was originally printed in "Leatherneck" magazine.

I received the poem in an email. Since it said to pass it on to as many people as possible, I wanted to put it in a place where it would get many views.

 An extra special Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of the troops serving the United States of America.
A Soldier's Night Before Christmas
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 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 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 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."
After reading and enjoying the poem, I did a bit of research and found the following at Break the Chain:
The sentiment in this story is timeless and far-reaching. It enjoyed a sizable surge in popularity in 2001 as military action in Afghanistan began just prior to the holidays and continued to be a fast-forwarder in the 2002 and 2003 holiday seasons. In 2004, its appeal was bolstered by a spoken-word recording of it, set to holiday music and played on numerous radio stations nationwide.
Soon after the poem began circulating in 2001, Bruce Lovely, a major in the United States Air Force, stepped forward to take credit. He claimed to have written it in 1993 while stationed in Korea. Unfortunately, Lovely's claims have not held up to scrutiny.
The true origins of this ode go back to December 1991. It was written by Marine Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt and published in Leatherneck magazine. The e-mail version contains some changes from Schmidt's original and Schmidt (or Lovely, for that matter) never requested that it be distributed via e-mail.

Crafts for Christmas

 Have a fun Christmas with all kinds of festive activities and craftsy projects!

	Ho-Ho-Holiday Planner (Kitchen) Everything you need to enjoy a smooth holiday season! Our spiral-bound Holiday Planner includes ideas to inspire, 8 handy pockets for organizing shopping lists and receipts and 3 ...more List Price: N/A Lowest New Price: $16.95 (as of 8/30/2008@10:05 AM)
	Flowers for the Holidays (DVD) Inclueds a DVD and CD. Holidays are precious times set aside for special observances. And what better way to to commemorate these cherished moments than with flowers and music? ...more List Price: $29.98 Lowest New Price: $23.48 (as of 8/30/2008@10:05 AM)
	Christmas Crafts (Video) Add to your family's holiday spirit by decorating the house with these easy to make craft projects. Carol Duvall, star of ABC-TVs Home Show demonstrates step-by-step how you can c...more List Price: N/A Lowest Used Price: $0.90 (as of 8/30/2008@10:05 AM) Lowest New Price: $0.97 (as of 8/30/2008@10:05 AM)
	Lynette Jennings Crafts for Christmas (Video) List Price: $19.98 Lowest Used Price: $6.47 (as of 8/30/2008@10:05 AM) Lowest New Price: $24.99 (as of 8/30/2008@10:05 AM)

Over There

Let's all take time to think of out troops this holiday season, and do something to make their lives and their family's lives easier.