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Marine Twas the Night before Christmas

Posted in Holidays, and Military Life

Tonight, I will fill our stockings and climb into a comfy bed with my Marine as he is safely home with me on this December eve. Sadly, there are many other families who will be without their deployed loved one. This evening, as we remember the birth of our Savior and the sacrifices that He made for us, we will also be remembering those troops who are far from home – looking up into the night sky – thinking of loved ones at home. We will pray for their safety. We will pray that the will know the comfort and saving grace of our Savior.

Merry Christmas, My Friend

Marine Twas the Night before Christmas

Boots Cover Sleeping Bag

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.

As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree
No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand
On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land.

With medals and badges, awards of all kind
A sobering thought soon came to my mind
For this house was different, unlike any I’d seen
This was the home of a U.S. Marine.

I’d heard stories about them, I had to see more
So I walked down the hall and pushed open the door
And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone
Curled up on the floor in his one-bedroom home.

Marine Sleeping on Ground

He seemed so gentle, his face so serene
Not how I pictured a U.S. Marine
Was this the hero, of whom I’d just read
Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?

His head was clean-shaven, his weathered face tan
I soon understood, this was more than a man
For I realized the families that I saw that night
Owed their lives to these men, who were willing to fight.

Soon around the Nation, the children would play
And grown-ups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day
They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year
Because of Marines like this one lying here.

I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone
On a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home
Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye
I dropped to my knees and I started to cry.

EGA

He must have awoken, for 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.”

With that he rolled over, drifted off into sleep
I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep
I watched him for hours, so silent and still
I noticed he shivered from the cold night’s chill.

So I took off my jacket, the one made of red
And covered this Marine from his toes to his head
Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold
With an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold.

And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride
And for one shining moment, I was Marine Corps deep inside
I didn’t want to leave him so quiet in the night
This guardian of honor so willing to fight.

But half asleep he rolled over, and in a voice clean and pure
Said “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, Semper Fi and goodnight.

Semper Fi

James M. Schmidt, who was a Lance Corporal stationed in Washington, DC wrote this poem in December, 1986. While serving as Battalion Counter Sniper at the Marine Barracks 8th and I in Washington, DC under Commandant P.X. Kelly and Battalion Commander D.J. Myers, Schmidt wrote this poem to hang on the door of the Gym in the BEQ. When Colonel Myers came upon it, he read it and immediately had copies sent to each department at the Barracks and promptly dismissed the entire Battalion early for Christmas leave. The poem was placed that day in the Marine Corps Gazette, distributed worldwide and later submitted to Leatherneck Magazine and was published in December, 1991. There have been many other versions, but this is the original version.

Download this version with my pictures here: Merry Christmas My Friend

This post is linked to Holiday Bliss

5 Comments

  1. Lynda
    Lynda

    Merry Christmas & Semper Fi Marine Family 🙂

    December 24, 2010
    |Reply
  2. Amen! Glad your marine is home with you!

    December 24, 2010
    |Reply
  3. Yolanda
    Yolanda

    I really enjoyed reading this poem,…I am a Vietnam widow and am preparing an album for our grandchildren…..My Marine’s name is on Vietnam Veterans Memorial on 20W-line 121…I would like to know where I can obtain a copy of this poem, exactly as it is on this site…looking forward to hearing from you…even after all this years it has not gotteN easier…for God–Country-Corps…..sincerely, Yolanda Anzaldua……widow of ..Sgt Albert Torres Anzaldua USMC. 08/10/1969

    December 20, 2013
    |Reply
    • Yolanda,

      I’m going to add a downloadable version of this for you. It will be available shortly. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

      Many blessings to you this Christmas!

      December 20, 2013
      |Reply

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