A Thankgiving Poem

An MT Christmas Poem

’Twas the night before Christmas
And in MT town
Tired MTs were longing
To lay their keys down.

Their earphones were hung
On their skull caps with care
In hopes that new words
Wouldn’t bring them despair.

Some in their sweatpants
And some in their tights
Had just settled down
For a long evening’s type.

When over their headsets
The sounds were so jumbled
They couldn’t quite make out
The words that were mumbled.

They hit the fast forward
Reverse, stop and slow
Trying to make out
The message below.

They checked in their Dorland’s,
Drug books and spellers,
Some called class buddies
Or even asked their fellers.
If they had an inkling
Of what the tape said

Or why someone was trying
To mess with their head.

When no one could answer
They listened less quick
And suddenly knew
The "doc" was St. Nick.

Now he spoke very plainly
Since they needed to hear
For his message was urgent
As Christmas drew near.

It was quite simple
No long words to spell
Dictated but heartfelt
And clear as a bell.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays
Best wishes and cheer
And thanks from Doc Santa
For your hard work all year.

Written by Pat Stettler, CMT, FAAMT     

Merry Christmas to All.  My son joined the Marines and may not be home next Christmas and my friend found this poem and it brought tears to my eye and my son gave it to his recruiter.  Let's hope this war ends soon and bring all our troops home.

 

I came across this beautful poem and just wanted to share it with you.

 

SOLDIERS NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS"

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"Merry Christmas, My Friend" by LCpl James M Schmidt, USMC, 1986

 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.

PLEASE. Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as may people
as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and we should all be aware of
where credit for our being able to celebrate these festivities is due.
Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people
stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.
Please, do your small part to plant this small seed