Soldier's Silent Night

Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
In a one-bedroom house made of plaster & stone.
I had come down the chimney with presents to give
and to see just who in this dwelling did live.

I looked all around a strange sight to see,
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stockings on the mantel just boots filled with sand,
On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.

With medals and badges, awards of every kind
A sobering thought came alive in my mind.
This house was different, it was dark, it was dreary,
I had found the home of a soldier, I could see that most clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping silent, alone.
Curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.

His face was so gentle, the room in such disorder.
Not at all how I pictured a United States soldier.
Was this the hero of whom Id just read?
Curled up on a poncho, a floor for a bed?

Then I realized the other families that I saw this night
Owed their lives to soldiers who were willing to fight.

In the morning around the world, children would play,
grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.
But they all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
Because of soldiers like the one lying here.

I couldnt help but wonder how many lay alone
on a cold Christmas Eve in lands 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 his rough voice,
"Santa dont cry, this life is my choice;
I fight for freedom, I dont ask for more,
my life is my God, my country, my Corps."

The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep,
but I couldnt control it, I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours, so silent and still,
as both of us shivered from the cold nights chill.

I didnt want to leave him on that cold dark night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure,
he whispered "Carry on Santa, its Christmas Day, all is secure."
One look at my watch, and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas my friend, may god bless you this night!

Saving Private Ryan and We Were Soldiers

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[ashton9505]

This is a BRITISH poam, about a british Soldier i know this for a fact as the lad who made it is my friend who i was in the BRITISH army with, it is not about a US Soldier.

[PRdarkk]

did anyone say it was?

i just used american films cuz i dont know many BRITISH war films.

[BarbLee111]

I always love our soldiers, but this time of the year I hold them so close to my heart. This tribute makes me cry as I so fully realize what they sacrafice so that we can have freedom.

[probie56]

Be it american ot british, it does not matter. All that matters is what the peom says. God Bless our service men and women who will be away from their families this holiday season

[coolestto]

Made me cry. ;(

Awesome though respect those who protect!

[MrCooperdog222]

@ashton9505 well he says that he didn't expect to see a US soldier around 1:26 

[barry2446]

Heard this on the radio today. Brought a tear to my eye.

[misshannishell]

@ashton9505  i looked this info up on the net

[misshannishell]

@ashton9505

The poem's author, James M. Schmidt, was a Lance Corporal stationed in Washington, D.C., when he wrote the poem back in 1986.

[bamabelle327]

@AmericanSoldier0610 God bless.

[bamabelle327]

@jjspain5 Well-said. Why split hairs over such a matter... we're allies.

[pdortiz02]

@Americansoldier0610 thank u soo much for fighting over seas for this country ..I have my husband in afghan right now and its hard but the ones left behind are in hope of yalls return home safe

[jjspain5]

@ashton9505 The poem does say rather clearly United States Soldier. I think your friend might have lied to ya about writing this one... not that it matters. America and England are the two firmest allies on the entire planet. I happily serve beside Brits and am proud of it.

-A US Soldier.

[bunnster16]

@assholes30 True, very true. Agreed