A Warriors Christmas

Afar from home,on both land and sea. Nary a tree in sight, and no Christmas Ham for Me. My rifle is battered,bruised and scarred.Much like Myself, for this tour is hard. No popular support,for many think it's all over. Yet time and again, My squad is in the field,with our trusty IED dog Rover. We are few and far between us, sent here to train. We're fighting a eons old war that is too old to give a name. Some say it's against terrorism,or even good and bad. This We cannot say, as we fight in Abbatobad.

We don't want a hoverboard,we can see the damn thing has wheels.We merely want tomorrow We ask,for this a devil we would deal. You can keep Your iphone,and even Your laptop. I want not Your car, nor even a bar.All I want now is for Me,too far. For no one is granted tomorrows sunrise. For some of us, it's a done deal that We will not rise. Our Hero's gone on to Valhalla's embrace. As the final war of all approaches at a breakneck pace.

There is no singing in Flanders Field, there is no celebration of joy at FOB Steel. For us our present arrived when We woke. Another day to live, to see home and heart approach. I'll eat My MRE,with abandon and glee. Celebrating Holidays?HELL NO,celebrating ME. The Fighting Warrior, still I stand tall. My generations before Me steel My resolve. I've missed birthdays, holidays and such. For I would give My very life,that No one else would bear such. I have not smelled My kitchen filled with foods,I have not been subject to a merry mood.No these things will wait,for My safe return. Save a last yule log,for Me to burn.

When I finally trudge up that snowy drive. My BDU's pressed and eyes finally alive. I can hear songs,and chatter of those I love. Not a clue that I am approaching, much less alive. I throw open the door, and all eyes turn towards Me. The stares and awe are all upon ME. 'How could You,when did You,how did it happen' mobbed by My family, NOW Christmas can happen. I got My present, sure as the sun rose. It's all I asked for,and it was this that I chose.I will leave again soon,to stand on watch. Until then,Dear Family, keep Me in Your clutch. My soul needs a pressing,My mental wounds need some dressing. Perhaps a glass or two of scotch,a warm fire and a couch. Christmas is here, I ask of You all

HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS/TO YOU ALL-

never forget-POW/MIA/KIA

And let's not forget our sailors either.

Twas the night before Christmas, the ship was out steaming,
Sailors stood watch while others were dreaming.*
They lived in a crowd with racks tight and small,
In a 80-man berthing, cramped one and all.

I had come down the stack with presents to give,
And to see inside just who might perhaps live.*
I looked all about, a strange sight did I see,
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.

No stockings were hung, shined boots close at hand,
On the bulkhead hung pictures of a far distant land.*
They had medals and badges and awards of all kind,
And a sober thought came into my mind.

For this place was different, so dark and so dreary,
I had found the house of a Sailor, once I saw clearly.*
A Sailor lay sleeping, silent and alone,
Curled up in a rack and dreaming of home.

The face was so gentle, the room squared away,
This was the United States Sailor today.*
This was the hero I saw on TV,
Defending our country so we could be free.

I realized the families that I would visit this night,
Owed their lives to these Sailors lay willing to fight.*
Soon round the world, the children would play,
And grownups would celebrate on Christmas Day.

They all enjoyed freedom each day of the year,
Because of the Sailor, like the one lying here.*
I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone,
On a cold Christmas Eve on a sea, far from home.

The very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.*
The Sailor awakened and I heard a calm voice,
"Santa, don't cry, this life is my choice."

"Defending the seas all days of the year,
So others may live and be free with no fear."*
I thought for a moment, what a difficult road,
To live a life guided by honor and code.

After all it's Christmas Eve and the ship's underway!
But freedom isn't free and it's sailors who pay.*
The Sailor say's to our country "be free and sleep tight,
No harm will come, not on my watch and not on this night.

The Sailor rolled over and drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.*
I kept watch for hours, so silent, so still,
I watched as the Sailor 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.*
The Sailor rolled over and with a voice strong and sure,
Commanded, "Carry on Santa, It's Christmas, and All is Secure!"

Sailors Christmas