Please remember the troops

This was sent to me by a friend. The author is unknown to me.

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.

Always do! Hooah!

Now that actually brought tears to my eyes Lecktor. Very nice Post.

Thank Uru, she sent it to me.

Very nice Poem Ura. Many do not understand what these soldiers are going through and what they may come to face in the end and what we ourselves may. Though we all have differences, united we must stand. I just hope in the end mankind can make it through these tough times and come together as one. I do not say this to offend anyone, but; only to wish everyone well. May God Bless our Troops and may God help us all.

awww.... that made me cry! Thank you for posting that poem Lecktor. Very beautiful!

That is a beautiful poem. I think we should all be suppotive of our troops, even though some of us may disagree with the war. I am 100% supportive and I will have them in my thoughts these holidays.

There is not an hour or a day that goes by that I don't think of them. Beautiful poem Lecktor.

I forgot the troops, which ones am I remembering again?

The ones which allow you to sit behind a keyboard and make smart ass remarks?

I ran in to this:

http://anysoldier.com/WhereToSend/

Thought it was a great way to help

Leilany

Haha, careful Nolan, if you keep following me around like this, people will think you're my alt!

Plus I don't know what troops I'm supposed to be thanking. Crazy Americans!

Ohhhhhhhhh. Thanks for the warning.

That's HIGHLY unlikely. I don't hide behind alts. I can stand by my words. It's ok, I know you're fishing, I am giving you what you want, why are you complaining?

Great Poem.


Also Nora, please don't ruin this thread.

Why must I be hiding behind an alt, anyway? Can't a troll stand on their own? Would nobody ever dare sully their good name on the highly important Second Life forums?

Thanks for reminding me what this thread is about Nick.

I think that poem is perfect.

My father was KIA, and I have a close cousin in Iraq flying helicopters. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about our troops.

Nolan my sincere condolences on the loss of your father. I wake up every day and am so grateful and guilty at the same time that I came home alive last year from Iraq. A bit mangled but nonetheless alive. Please accept my wishes for strength in your loss.

One love to all the troops and their families!

Thanks Lecktor!

Fantastic poem Lecktor!! I show my support everyday. I have this little ribbon available for free in world. If anyone would like one, IM me in world, or let me know here and I'll drop you one.

Also available here: secondlife://Tenney/56/48 and here: secondlife://Tenney/16/56

Yes Echo I would love one please !

*Enter Troll Police*

don't fucking start, not in this thread

I think your implications are misdirected Lecktor. Give me a break.

very well, I re-read the thread and follow your intention now. A quote would have helped.