"Merry Christmas, My Friend" 

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 dwelling did live.

I looked all around, a strange sight to see,
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.

No stockings on the mantle, just boots filled with sand,
On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.

With medals and badges, awards of every kind,
A sobering thought came alive in my mind. 

This house was different, it was dark it was dreary,
I had found the home of a soldier, I could see that most clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone,
Curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.

His face was so gentle, the room in such disorder,
Not at all how I pictured a United States soldier.

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

Then I realized the other families, that I saw this night,
Owed their lives to soldiers who were willing to fight.

In the morning round the world, children would play, 
Grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.

But they all enjoy freedom each month of the year,
Because of soldiers, like the one lying here.

I couldn't help but wonder how many lay alone,
On a cold Christmas eve in lands 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 his 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 couldn't control it, I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours, so silent and still
As both of us shivered from the cold night's chill.

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, with a voice soft and pure,
He 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, may God bless you this night."

Original version "Merry Christmas, My Friend" 

by James M. Schmidt 1986 - "Semper Fi"