NationStates Jolt Archive

A Marine stationed in Okinawa Japan wrote this poem. The following is his request. I think it is reasonable . . . PLEASE. Would you do me a thoughtful favor of sending this poem to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S. service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities.

I dedicate this to Eutrusca, who may be leaving us. God speed, old man! We thank you.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 home did live.

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 far distant lands.

With medals and badges, awards of all kind
A sober thought came through my mind.
For this house was different, so dark and dreary,
I knew I had found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.

I 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.

His face so gentle, his room in such disorder,
Not how I pictured a United States soldier.
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 ‘round the world, the children would play,
And grownups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
Because of soldiers 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 started to cry.

The soldier awakened and 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 and 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 I covered this Soldier from his toes to his head.
And I put on his T-shirt of gray and black,
With an eagle and an Army patch embroidered on back.

And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
And for a shining moment, I was United States Army deep inside.
I didn’t want to leave him on that cold dark night,
This guardian of honor so willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over, whispered with a voice so clean and pure,
"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, and to all a good night!

No responses?

It was well-written and expressed an admirable sentiment. That's about it for my response.:)

No politics....just drivel.

No politics....just drivel.
Drivel?

I call this: supportive of the military

therefore, I refuse to support this poem.

edit: however, it is a good poem.

I call this: supportive of the military

therefore, I refuse to support this poem.

edit: however, it is a good poem.
Your not supportive of the military?

Drivel?


Yah.

Regardless of my political views....this is horrible poetry, and schmultzy in the extreme.

Your not supportive of the military?

No. Any reason I should be supportive of any military?

Apparently not, duh ;)

I received this too in an email, and I cannot really say I support the sentiment either(possibly because the email poster said that we should think of the soldiers in Iraq and support what they're doing because, basically, we don't have a choice.).

I support military personnel - When they shoot their officers!

Yah.

Regardless of my political views....this is horrible poetry, and schmultzy in the extreme.
Sorry its not up to your high standards. Its called realism. Just because some lazy hippie didnt write it, doesn't mean it isn't good.

Sorry its not up to your high standards. Its called realism. Just because some lazy hippie didnt write it, doesn't mean it isn't good.


Yes it does.

I dont care what the message contained is....listen to it...

Its not even original...

Its patterned after a poem someone else already wrote!

Its about as talented as a bar-band covering a top-40 rock tune.

Cheesy, and poorly written.

You dont want political comments on the content, so Im critiquing the poem itself.
Its terrible.

No. Any reason I should be supportive of any military?
Because without them, you'd be someones bitch? Or because without them, there'd be nothing in between you and the "bad people" of the world who would just as soon blow up your family as not?

Sorry its not up to your high standards. Its called realism. Just because some lazy hippie didnt write it, doesn't mean it isn't good.


Realism, you say?

So Santa visits marines now, huh?

Yes thats awfully gripping, isnt it?

Because without them, you'd be someones bitch? Or because without them, there'd be nothing in between you and the "bad people" of the world who would just as soon blow up your family as not?

The bad people happen to be the other military. Of which I am not supportive of either.

My current definition of military is loose by the way.

The way I see it, I wouldn't need any military if there wasn't any military in the first place.

oh, and the US military could just as soon go and mess with me.

Yes it does.

I dont care what the message contained is....listen to it...

Its not even original...

Its patterned after a poem someone else already wrote!

Its about as talented as a bar-band covering a top-40 rock tune.

Cheesy, and poorly written.

You dont want political comments on the content, so Im critiquing the poem itself.
Its terrible.
The peom wasn't written to impress dumbass art critics. It was written to make a point. The fact that all you can see is that the Soldier who wrote it isn't a world class writer, only shows your ignorance at the diversity of the human race, and our rights to make a statement without sticking to YOUR standard of "art"

Realism, you say?

So Santa visits marines now, huh?

Yes thats awfully gripping, isnt it?
Your such a fucking twit. Go run to the mod thread and report me if you want. Your just a fuckin douchebag.

The peom wasn't written to impress dumbass art critics. It was written to make a point. The fact that all you can see is that the Soldier who wrote it isn't a world class writer, only shows your ignorance at the diversity of the human race, and our rights to make a statement without sticking to YOUR standard of "art"


Hold on Skippy!

What the hell where you asking for then, when the name of the title is "No politics, Just read this".

You asked for comments.

If you dont want my political views in regards to the Poem's contents, then you must have been asking for opinions on the poem itself.

If neither of these is what you wanted, then this thread is pointless, isnt it?

Oh wait...unless you were really hoping that no one would post political opinions about this thread, and simply agree with your own?

I suppose I have to question why you even bothered.

Your such a fucking twit. Go run to the mod thread and report me if you want. Your just a fuckin douchebag.

Wow.

That was mature.

Hold on Skippy!

What the hell where you asking for then, when the name of the title is "No politics, Just read this".

You asked for comments.

If you dont want my political views in regards to the Poem's contents, then you must have been asking for opinions on the poem itself.

If neither of these is what you wanted, then this thread is pointless, isnt it?

Oh wait...unless you were really hoping that no one would post political opinions about this thread, and simply agree with your own?

I suppose I have to question why you even bothered.
Dont play cute. Your not THAT stupid, are you?

Wow.

That was mature.
I never claimed to be mature. Im actually quite unstable when people are flaming assholes.

I never claimed to be mature. Im actually quite unstable when people are flaming assholes.


Well, youre certainly making yourself look unstable, I grant you that.

Dont be mad at me for giving you what you asked for.
Its simply too bad you didnt really want anyone elses opinions, except your own.

Well, for one thing you don't even credit the right person, or situation of that person. And you use the altered poem.

http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/soldier.asp

Dont play cute. Your not THAT stupid, are you?

What the hell is wrong with you? If you don't want/can't stand any critics then don't post something in public forum!

See, it makes you look like a moron, to try to insult and personally attack the people who disagree with your opinions.

"You're stupid and mean"-comments are just pathetic...

But the poem is pretty nice. The dude who made it was clearly an amateur, but still.

Well, for one thing you don't even credit the right person, or situation of that person. And you use the altered poem.

http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/soldier.asp
Claim: A U.S. serviceman wrote a poem describing a soldier's lonely night before Christmas.

Status: True

Did you notice where it said the status said "True"?

What the hell is wrong with you? If you don't want/can't stand any critics then don't post something in public forum!

See, it makes you look like a moron, to try to insult and personally attack the people who disagree with your opinions.

"You're stupid and mean"-comments are just pathetic...

But the poem is pretty nice. The dude who made it was clearly an amateur, but still.
I don't mind criticism. But when you post something that OBVIOUSLY has sentimental and emotional value, it's kinda implied to civilized people that you would appreciate it if people didn't just post the most ignorant comments they can think of. The problem with the internet is that it makes people lose their manners. And besides, why don't I have the right to express my opinion of a post? Because YOU don't like it? Would you like some fries with that double standard?

There is a difference between saying that a poet is childish and stupid, and saying to the man who said so about the poet "your a fucking twit" (It's you're, btw).

Did you notice where it said the status said "True"?
Yes, did you notice thought that YOUR post stating:
A Marine stationed in Okinawa Japan wrote this poem. The following is his request. I think it is reasonable . . .
was wrong?

This attribution does a great disservice to the poem's true author, James M. Schmidt, who was a Lance Corporal stationed in Washington, D.C., when he wrote the poem back in 1986.
And then you used the altered poem that suggests that the author is some confused Army/Marine mixed guy.

Since I agree with the thoughts expressed (if a little bit clumsily) I'll do you the favore of reposting the orginial.

Merry Christmas, My Friend

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 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.

*Kool aid guy breaks in from the wall*

OOOOH YEAAAAH!

*He sees thread war and steps back out slowly*

The peom wasn't written to impress dumbass art critics. It was written to make a point. The fact that all you can see is that the Soldier who wrote it isn't a world class writer, only shows your ignorance at the diversity of the human race, and our rights to make a statement without sticking to YOUR standard of "art"

What point is it trying to make Nightmares?
Poetry doesn't have to be 'world' class to make a point.
I've read things from 7 year old children who could manage to cut me to the wick with their words, make me feel happy or sad and always make me think.


Unfortunately, this poem doesn't make me feel or think anything other than it's a poor copy of Victorian sentimentality.

If you want to make a point about what it means to be a soldier, or what it means to be trapped in a war and read it in poetry from, try these writers.

Wilfred Owen
Siegfried Sassoon
Jessie Pope
Robert Graves
Rupert Brooke

I'm really sorry, but this (in both forms) is utterly, sickmakingly sentimental.

It doesn't make me feel or think anything other than it's a poor copy of Victorian sentimentality.

If you want to make a point about what it means to be a soldier, or what it means to be trapped in a war and read it in poetry from, try these writers.

Wilfred Owen
Siegfried Sassoon
Jessie Pope
Robert Graves
Rupert Brooke


Soldiers do not always view themselves as "trapped in a war". Speaking from personal experience, I had a great time.

I know friends in the current war that are enjoying their job, and believe that they are making a difference on a very personal level.

If you were building a school for children in Iraq, then regardless of what screwups the US or Iraqi government may be making, you would probably feel that you are making a difference and having fun.

Get off your notion that we (soldiers and former soldiers) all have PTSD and are sitting around crying about how bad the war was.

Get off your notion that we (soldiers and former soldiers) all have PTSD and are sitting around crying about how bad the war was.

I don't think that all soldiers believe they are trapped in a war.

Coming from a family who have three serving members of the forces in it, two retired officers and one ex husband in the reserve, I have a pretty good idea of what happens in a wr and what personal satisfaction can be brought from this.
However, there are those who didn't and don't want to be in that situation, so perhaps you should also look to those who do feel that way as well?

Your such a fucking twit. Go run to the mod thread and report me if you want. Your just a fuckin douchebag.

Warned for flaming, Sick Nightmares.

On review of your other responses here, take a three day vacation. To start flaming other people over their reaction to very old email-spam is very foolish.

Get off your notion that we (soldiers and former soldiers) all have PTSD and are sitting around crying about how bad the war was.

I don't think that all soldiers believe they are trapped in a war.

Coming from a family who have three serving members of the forces in it, two retired officers and one ex husband in the reserve, I have a pretty good idea of what happens in a wr and what personal satisfaction can be brought from this.
However, there are those who didn't and don't want to be in that situation, so perhaps you should also look to those who do feel that way as well?

I've read literature on the subject - both sides. But I've met a lot of soldiers from the Korean War to the present - and I've found very, very few of them (myself included) who had the horrible time that is described by certain authors.

I'm talking about veterans who lived through things like the Frozen Chosin, the siege of Khe Sanh, fought in Somalia, the last Gulf War, and the current conflict in Iraq.

What the hell is wrong with you? If you don't want/can't stand any critics then don't post something in public forum!

See, it makes you look like a moron, to try to insult and personally attack the people who disagree with your opinions.

"You're stupid and mean"-comments are just pathetic...

But the poem is pretty nice. The dude who made it was clearly an amateur, but still.

Warned for flaming.