NationStates Jolt Archive

Here's a poem written by an American During WW2, shows we think about other people than ourselves in, and out of war...

The Soldier's Christmas Poem
T'was 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

I looked all about
A strange sight I did see
No tinsel no presents
Not even a tree

No stocking by mantle
Just boots filled with sand
On the wall hung pictures
Of far distant lands

With medals and badges
Awards of all kinds
A sober thought
Came through my mind

For this house was different
It was dark and dreary
I found the home of a soldier
Once I could see clearly

The soldier lay sleeping
Silent alone
Curled up on the floor
In this one bedroom home

The face was so gentle
The room in such disorder
Not how i pictured
A new zealand soldier

Was this the hero
Of whom I'd just read?
Curled up on a poncho
The floor for a bed?

I realized the families
That I saw this night
Owed their lives to these soldiers
Who were willing to fight

Soon round the world
The children would play
And grownups would celebrate
A bright christmas day

They all enjoyed freedom
Each month of the year
Because of the soldiers
Like the one lying here

I couldn't help wonder
How many lay alone
On a cold christmas eve
In a land far from home

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

The soldier rolled over
And drifted to sleep
I coundn't control it
I continued to weep

I kept watch for hours
So silent and still
And we both shivered
From the cold night's chill

I didn't want to leave
On that cold dark night
This guardian of honor
So willing to fight

Then the soldier rolled over
With a voice soft and pure
Whispered "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."
- Grant Hays

A poem written by a single american 60 years ago shows that Americans as a group care about others?

You win.

Well of course there are going to be exceptions...

A poem written by a single american 60 years ago shows that Americans as a group care about others?

You win.
Duh, generalisations prove anything. :)

Well, I’m an American, and I can tell you that I don’t give a shit about anyone.
You lose.

Plus this was written during WWII, so it's a completely different situation.

regardless of what others say, i think it's a wonderful poem.

there are good people in every country. even this one.

Plus this was written during WWII, so it's a completely different situation.
For one thing, WWII had a much cooler acronym, and was the middle part of a trilogy, which gives it an oppurtunity to deal with larger issues and story arcs then a single incident.

PS: are you from BLACK River Falls, WI? if so, i had the pleasure of spending the day there in November en route to Milwaukee. beautiful place!

Well, I’m an American, and I can tell you that I don’t give a shit about anyone.
You lose.
Amen. America rules!!!!!!!!!!!!

Amen. America rules!!!!!!!!!!!!

America rules? What does it rule? I mean, other than America, of course.

America rules? What does it rule? I mean, other than America, of course.
Canada.

Canada.

You mean the former Canadian Provinces, which are today States 51-63?

Canada.
And virtually all of latin America, Guam, Puerto Rico, and who knows what else

And virtually all of latin America, Guam, Puerto Rico, and who knows what else
We own whatever we want cause we can.

Meh. im American and I care about other people but this poem, however nice, was written a LONG time ago. most americans now adays follow the "Im American, bitch.' conept. Most likely the reason we have few allies.

We own whatever we want cause we can.

Your point?

I don't get why it's seen as somehow horrible and indicative of degeneracy that many Americans don't feel the need to concern themselves with things that happen outside of their immediate sphere of living.

So what? There are millions of Americans who do. The existance of a bunch of folks who don't care about other countries doesn't make us all evil, stupid, or unworldly. If they don't care, they don't care.

I'm sure there are millions of Europeans who could give a rat's ass about what happens over here. That doesn't make us better or worse than them.

A little tolerance goes a long way. But it seems like being anti-American is one of the few hatreds that doesn't get you ostracized outside the US.

Here's a poem written by an American During WW2, shows we think about other people than ourselves in, and out of war...

The Soldier's Christmas Poem
T'was 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

I looked all about
A strange sight I did see
No tinsel no presents
Not even a tree

No stocking by mantle
Just boots filled with sand
On the wall hung pictures
Of far distant lands

With medals and badges
Awards of all kinds
A sober thought
Came through my mind

For this house was different
It was dark and dreary
I found the home of a soldier
Once I could see clearly

The soldier lay sleeping
Silent alone
Curled up on the floor
In this one bedroom home

The face was so gentle
The room in such disorder
Not how i pictured
A new zealand soldier

Was this the hero
Of whom I'd just read?
Curled up on a poncho
The floor for a bed?

I realized the families
That I saw this night
Owed their lives to these soldiers
Who were willing to fight

Soon round the world
The children would play
And grownups would celebrate
A bright christmas day

They all enjoyed freedom
Each month of the year
Because of the soldiers
Like the one lying here

I couldn't help wonder
How many lay alone
On a cold christmas eve
In a land far from home

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

The soldier rolled over
And drifted to sleep
I coundn't control it
I continued to weep

I kept watch for hours
So silent and still
And we both shivered
From the cold night's chill

I didn't want to leave
On that cold dark night
This guardian of honor
So willing to fight

Then the soldier rolled over
With a voice soft and pure
Whispered "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."
- Grant Hays
*sighs* Could you have at least gotten the facts right (and posted the right poem, though I admit the mix up between the US Army, US Marine Corps, and the New Zealand Army is funny).

This was written by Lance Corpral James M. Schmidt (USMC), who wrote this in 1986, NOT WWII, about the Marines. He did so while stationed in Washington DC.

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

America rules? What does it rule? I mean, other than America, of course.

American Samoa puts German Samoa to shame... it's all about the ports.

From the World Factbook:

"Pago Pago has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the South Pacific Ocean, sheltered by shape from rough seas and protected by peripheral mountains from high winds; strategic location in the South Pacific Ocean."

Put that in your pipe and smoke it, German Samoa.. :mad:

A little tolerance goes a long way. But it seems like being anti-American is one of the few hatreds that doesn't get you ostracized outside the US.

Or inside, within 50 miles of an ocean.. :p

*sighs* Could you have at least gotten the facts right (and posted the right poem, though I admit the mix up between the US Army, US Marine Corps, and the New Zealand Army is funny).

This was written by Lance Corpral James M. Schmidt (USMC), who wrote this in 1986, NOT WWII, about the Marines. He did so while stationed in Washington DC.

http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/soldier.asp
I love snopes :)

I care.

That's all I care about.

America rules? What does it rule? I mean, other than America, of course.

Hawaii isn't really "America".

You mean the former Canadian Provinces, which are today States 51-63?
To many for the little kids to learn. We'll just mash it all into one giant state.

These Americans care:
We care a lot
We care a lot
We care a lot about disasters, fires, floods and killer bees
We care a lot about nasa shuttle falling in the sea
We care a lot about starvation and the food that live aid bought
We care a lot about disease, baby, rock hudson, rock yeah!
We care a lot
We care a lot
We care a lot about the gamblers and the pushers and the freaks
We care a lot about the people who live off the street
We care a lot about the welfare of all the boys and girls
We care a lot about you people cause we’re out to save the world
Yeah!
(chorus) and it’s a dirty job but someone’s got to do it!
We care a lot about the army, navy, air force, and marines
We care a lot about the ny, sf, and lapd
We care a lot about you people, about your guns
We care a lot about the wars you’re fighting, gee, that looks like fun
We care a lot about the cabbage patch, the smurfs, and dmc
We care a lot about madonna and we cop for mr.t
We care a lot about the little things, the bigger things we top
We care a lot about you people, yeah, you bet we care a lot
(chorus) and it’s a dirty job but someone’s gotta do it....

Hawaii isn't really "America".

We sure 'thought' it was 'really' a part of America, on the morning of December 8th, 1941 (the morning after the Pearl Harbor Attack).

I don't get why it's seen as somehow horrible and indicative of degeneracy that many Americans don't feel the need to concern themselves with things that happen outside of their immediate sphere of living.

So what? There are millions of Americans who do. The existance of a bunch of folks who don't care about other countries doesn't make us all evil, stupid, or unworldly. If they don't care, they don't care.

I'm sure there are millions of Europeans who could give a rat's ass about what happens over here. That doesn't make us better or worse than them.

A little tolerance goes a long way. But it seems like being anti-American is one of the few hatreds that doesn't get you ostracized outside the US.
Well said.

Sure, its American in a political sense, but its culturally (largly) and geographically Polynesian.

Sure, its American in a political sense, but its culturally (largly) and geographically Polynesian.

Well if you're going to use culture as a measuring stick, I think every state has different ethnic traits, that doesn't make them less 'American.'

North Dakota ~ Dakota native American, Minnesota ~ Scandinavian, Wisconsin ~ German, New Mexico ~ Apache native American, Louisiana ~ French Cajun, Arizona ~ Mexican American ... I could go on, but I'm sure you get the idea. Therefore, Hawaii and Alaska are no different than any other state in truth, because they are not the same as any other state either.

To many for the little kids to learn. We'll just mash it all into one giant state.

What are you talking about? The closer our flag comes to having as many stars as are in the night-sky, the better it looks! Studies have proven it!

Well if you're going to use culture as a measuring stick, I think every state has different ethnic traits, that doesn't make them less 'American.'

North Dakota ~ Dakota native American, Minnesota ~ Scandinavian, Wisconsin ~ German, New Mexico ~ Apache native American, Louisiana ~ French Cajun, Arizona ~ Mexican American ... I could go on, but I'm sure you get the idea. Therefore, Hawaii and Alaska are no different than any other state in truth, because they are not the same as any other state either.

You're quite right, culture wasn't a correct measuring stick to use. I agree with you that the various states are actually quite culturally diverse, although some think they're homogenous. Also, I didn't say anything about ethnicity.

I'll have to rethink what I was trying to say when I'm not quite so drunk. Damned Bells Brewery and their new Java Stout!

You're quite right, culture wasn't a correct measuring stick to use. I agree with you that the various states are actually quite culturally diverse, although some think they're homogenous. Also, I didn't say anything about ethnicity.

I'll have to rethink what I was trying to say when I'm not quite so drunk. Damned Bells Brewery and their new Java Stout!

Fair enough ;) Brew is international :D

Fair enough ;) Brew is international :D

But this beer isn't fair! It combines my two favourite things, coffee and beer. How can I resist?

Your point?
My point is we can do whatever we want. no other country can do that.

My point is we can do whatever we want. no other country can do that.

I really need to ask you - are you just an alias to make people think Americans are complete flag waving ignorant cretins? I know there's a lot of blind nationalists in the US, but come on - most of your posts look like genuine satire.

I really need to ask you - are you just an alias to make people think Americans are complete flag waving ignorant cretins? I know there's a lot of blind nationalists in the US, but come on - most of your posts look like genuine satire.

Ease off. Just because we aren't self-loathing has-beens isn't a reason to get all snippy. He's just proud of where he comes from, with good reason. Now Europe, I can understand why loving your (would-be) country would be an insult over there.

How did it end up being a New Zealand soldier?


The poem seems to be about a kiwi lad telling santa to leave him alone cos he's trying to sleep.



Thank god for snopes..

*sighs* Could you have at least gotten the facts right (and posted the right poem, though I admit the mix up between the US Army, US Marine Corps, and the New Zealand Army is funny).

This was written by Lance Corpral James M. Schmidt (USMC), who wrote this in 1986, NOT WWII, about the Marines. He did so while stationed in Washington DC.

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

sorry, i got this off of a WW2 website, and this is exactly what it said, by who wrote it and also by when it was written, i didnt look into it since the site was huge and probably right.. sorry... but still... i like the poem.. and for me nothings changed.. i cant be the only american to think this...

Vegetarianistica']PS: are you from BLACK River Falls, WI? if so, i had the pleasure of spending the day there in November en route to Milwaukee. beautiful place!

No sorry just regular River Falls... I thank you though for your earlier statement

To many for the little kids to learn. We'll just mash it all into one giant state.

If we mashed them into one, then what would be the point of the "United States" part?

Remember the United States was made with Everyone in mind.. although we were STUPID to have slaves.. we learned... with that said, i can say that if you hate america you hate your countries ancestors (some of them) for comeing over here.. you also hate your people.. because some of them are over here.. America is made up of little pieces of the whole world.. we have almost every kind of person, every religion, and almost 1 person from every country in our country living here permentantly....

Remember the United States was made with Everyone in mind.. although we were STUPID to have slaves.. we learned...
Everyone except Indigenous People.

<.<

If we mashed them into one, then what would be the point of the "United States" part?
Meh, it's just the acronym you hear people chanting in the stands at international sporting events. Just make up something new:

I'll dub thee the 'Unified State of America'.

There. Better?

No? Well, I gave it a shot. And now I'll pour myself a shot.

Cheers!

Vegetarianistica']PS: are you from BLACK River Falls, WI? if so, i had the pleasure of spending the day there in November en route to Milwaukee. beautiful place!

River Falls, WI is an outer ring 'burb of the Twin Cities.

For what it's worth, I've been to Duluth and up the North Shore many times. I love it up there. Even seriously considerd moving there at one point.

River Falls, WI is an outer ring 'burb of the Twin Cities.

For what it's worth, I've been to Duluth and up the North Shore many times. I love it up there. Even seriously considerd moving there at one point.

River Falls is not an outer ring burb of the Twin Cities, we live across the St. Croix.. we are almost merging with Hudson, but nowwhere close to merging with the Twin Cities..

Considering the amount of aide we dish out for natural disasters in foreign countries, especially when we don't even give 1/2 of that to ourselves in huge disasters, yes we're very selfish. :: sheesh ::

Considering the amount of aide we dish out for natural disasters in foreign countries, especially when we don't even give 1/2 of that to ourselves in huge disasters, yes we're very selfish. :: sheesh ::


Yes and beyond popular belief we flew about 1-3 missions a day dropping tons of food in France by B-17's, and other countries during WW2. In Everywar we've been in we drop millions of tons of food during the course of the war for civillians... and out in Iraq, we drop tons of food out there.. most of the time though if we drive convoys with food, we get shot at, and the Iraqi army will retrieve it.. or try too.. so there citizens wont get the food... yeah... we are selfish....*Shakes Head*.... I dont think soo.....

River Falls is not an outer ring burb of the Twin Cities, we live across the St. Croix.. we are almost merging with Hudson, but nowwhere close to merging with the Twin Cities..

Yes it is. So is Hudson. Both St Croix and Pierce counties in Wisconsin are part of the Minneapolis-St Paul Metro Area.

"The Minneapolis-St. Paul area is comprised of 13 counties located in both Minnesota and Wisconsin. The counties are Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Washington and Wright in Minnesota and Pierce and St. Croix in Wisconsin." (source: http://www.demography.state.mn.us/FactSheets/MSACompare/ )

Rivers/state boundries don't stop the endless sprawl of metro areas.

Also, a rapidly growing majority of those living in River Falls commute into the cities for work, entertainment, and education (UofW not withstanding) due to its close proximity. That is why the city has grown so much in the last two decades. You may not want it to be a 'burb, but it's well on its way. Much like my former home of Hastings, MN. It didn't want to be a 'burb either, but it became one anyway.

Yes and beyond popular belief we flew about 1-3 missions a day dropping tons of food in France by B-17's, and other countries during WW2. In Everywar we've been in we drop millions of tons of food during the course of the war for civillians... and out in Iraq, we drop tons of food out there.. most of the time though if we drive convoys with food, we get shot at, and the Iraqi army will retrieve it.. or try too.. so there citizens wont get the food... yeah... we are selfish....*Shakes Head*.... I dont think soo.....

Standard way things work

1. Disaster strikes.
2. Calls to US for help.
3. US helps.
4. Disaster subsides.
5. US cursed at and flags burned.
6. Process repeats.

For what it's worth, I've been to Duluth and up the North Shore many times. I love it up there. Even seriously considerd moving there at one point.

i love it here. would love to stay in Duluth, although i don't know if i'll be able to get a job after i graduate. i like The Cities, although that area just doesn't have the same attraction for me as Duluth and the North Shore. the Lake, rocks, rivers, forests, HILLS, and city itself, etc.. really can't be beat! imho.

We give out billions of dollars to nearly every country in the world. If that isn't caring I don't know what is. And if the world can't appreciate that I can sure so you how easy it is to not care, and not give handouts anymore.

We give out billions of dollars to nearly every country in the world. If that isn't caring I don't know what is. And if the world can't appreciate that I can sure so you how easy it is to not care, and not give handouts anymore.

You know I was going to donate to the Indonesia thing (like $25 more would have made a difference either way but still). Then I saw them telling us to go home but to leave the money. Yeah I saved $25. I was going to donate to Katrina too but when I saw them shooting at doctors and the horrible response by dumbshit Brown, once again I saved $25. Humanity is just flawed.