jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Sent by a friend. Goose bumps and watery eyes.

Larry G. Carmon is with Gunny Claus and Gunny Claus.
December 22 at 7:16 PM

'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.

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.

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 secure."

One look at my watch and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas my friend, Semper Fi and goodnight!

Author Unknown

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

badapple Loc: Twin Lake, Michigan

Thank you.

RoswellAlien

Thank you. To all Vets.

NMGal Loc: NE NM

Take the time to remember our men and women serving in distant lands far away from home.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

BZ and a Merry Christmas

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

Warhorse Loc: SE Michigan

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Thanks, Jerry, one of the best post that you have ever posted, if not the best, I have two brothers that were Marines, the oldest just died a couple of days ago.

wvince

Good to hear on this Christmas day. Brought a tear to mine also........wes

SteveFranz Loc: Durham, NC

Semper Fi Brothers

Dannj

👍

Dannj

Semper Fi
👍

anhmydo1941 Loc: Texas

Beautiful poem ! Thank you Jerry !
I was once a Marine .
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !

Anh Do

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Nice pictures