Monday, November 27, 2006

Dedicated to our Soldiers


I'm having some problems with my DSL...it keeps cutting me off so I'll try to be quick here. My sweet Aunt Virginia sent me another poem that I wanted to share with all of you. It is much the same as a Thanksgiving poem that I received a week or so ago, but I didn't post it...I just forwarded on.

I think alot about the soldiers who are putting their lives on the line right now and I pray for them to come home safely. I appreciate all that they do and I want to thank them and tell them how proud I am of them. Here's the poem...It's called,

A Different Christmas Poem

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,

And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam' ,
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,

Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."
Author Unknown


Isn't that a lovely poem? Now you know why I wanted to share it with you even though I know that you have probably already seen it. Not meaning to leave anyone out...I also appreciate and want to thank all those who have served in our armed forces.

It's another beautiful day here, as everyday has been since I retired 12 years ago...So I'm off to enjoy the warm, sunny day. Just remember what somebody once said,
" It's always a good day if you wake up."

12 comments:

TJ said...

A new blog friend named Wystful 1 has a site you can use to send a Holiday card to our troops...it is at the top of her blog...
http://wystful1.blogspot.com/
I enjoy her site and hope you do to...tell her I sent ya!
:-D

Sandy Hatcher-Wallace said...

Tammy...Thanks for the info.

... Paige said...

Amen; To the tale of the soldiers. May they feel the warmth we send from our hearts to theirs during this blessed season of love.

Rachel said...

Great stuff Sandy!! Someone sent me this recently too.

Enjoy this lovely weather!

walkin2e said...

Great Post! Here is one I wrote about Pearl Harbor:

Pearl Harbor Day
by Irvin L. Rozier (Email: iwcroga@aol.com)

From 1982 to 1985, I lived in the Aloha state
To serve in the 25th Infantry Division was my fate
Oahu was beautiful with rainbows galore
Peaceful and fragrant from shore to shore

I went down to Pearl Harbor bay
It was hard to imagine the chaos of that day
When suddenly the island was exploding with sound
Noises of airplanes, bombs and gunfire all around

I rode the boat to the memorial site
Saw the engraved names of those who did fight
And lost their lives in that deadly attack
Some, I suppose, never had a chance to fight back

Freedom cost the lives of our nation's best
On the ocean below their bodies now rest
To see Old Glory flying over the Arizona that day
Brought tears to my eyes and reminded me to pray

To the Lord God who rules from heaven above
That He would comfort us with His great love
Remember those who died so we can be free
And the Star Spangled Banner, O Say Can You See.

copyright Dec 7, 2004 Irvin L. Rozier

Susan Tidwell said...

Thanks Sandy for sharing that poem, there are so many things we need to be reminded of at this time of year, and always.

doubleknot said...

Thanks for the poem. My father and my brother both served in the armed forces. My brother was in Desert Storm and we were so lucky in him coming home. Coming from a military family I know what it is like to have your loved ones far away in an unknown land.

Carole Burant said...

What a very touching poem...I knew I would need tissues!! It certainly reminds us to never forget what these men and women have and are doing for us. I can't even imagine being so far away from home and all my loved ones. Thank you for posting this Sandy!! xox

LZ Blogger said...

Sandy ~ As a Vietnam Vet... I give this poem an AMEN!!! ~ Thanks!

Kerri said...

Yes, it's a wonderful poem Sandy. We owe them our gratitude, love, prayers, loyalty and support. It's the least we can do in return for all the sacrifices they've made for us. God bless them, and may God bless this wonderful country we live in.
Thanks for this great post.

HORIZON said...

My Ex- went over as a peacekeeper during the Kosovo war and he was involved with during Desert Storm. Lovely poem and true.
Bests

Anonymous said...

Hi Sandy, have just come over from Anne's site, I am fortunate to be counted as a friend of Merle's. Yes that truly is a beautiful poem and very fitting, it was a lovely surprise to begin to post a comment and find a yet another very worthy and moving tribute poem. Cheers Margaret