I hope that everyone is having a Happy and Safe Christmas, And we all owe this to our American Soliders Young and Old, Alive and Dead, who give their lives everyday in foreign lands 1,000s of miles away from home to make sure we have a safer tommarow.. Then, Now and Forever....

My friend sent this poem to me and i thought it was really good...

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 house did live.

I looked all about
A strange sight I did see
No tinsel, no presents
Not even a tree.

No stocking by the 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 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 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 their freedom
Each month of the year
Because of the soldiers
Like the one sleeping here.

I couldn't help wonder
How many lay alone
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 and all is secure."

One look at my watch
And I knew he was right.
"Merry Christmas, my friend,
And to all a good night."

This poem was written by a Marine. The following is his request....

Please, would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as
you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to each of our
service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities.
Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people
stop and think of our heroes, both living and dead, who sacrificed themselves
for us. Please, do your small part ! to plant this small seed.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.