ALL IS SECURE

anner · Post by **anner** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 9:23 pm

I recieved this poem by email and thought I would share it.

IT WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
HE LIVED ALL ALONE
IN A ONE BEDROMMED 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 THE MANTLE 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 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 OF THIS ONE BEDROOMED HOME

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER
NOT HOW I PICTURED A LONE BRITISH SOLDIER
WAS THIS THE HERO OF WHOM I'D JUST READ
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO THE FLOOR FOR A BED

I REALISED THE FAMILIES THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS WHO WERE SO WILLING TO FIGHT
SOON ROUND THE WORLD THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY

THEY ALL ENJOY FREEDOM EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE
I COULDN'T HELP WONDER HOW MANY 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 DONT CRY THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE
I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM I DONT ASK MORE
MY LIFE IS MY GOD. MY COUNTRY. MY CORPS'

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT I STARTED TO WEEP

I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SAT AND SHIVERED FROM THE COLD NIGHTS CHILL
I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE ON THAT COLD DARK NIGHT
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOUR 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'.

This poem was wriiten by a peace keeping soldier stationed overseas, the following is his request I think it is reasonable.
PLEASE WOULD YOU DO ME THE KIND FAVOUR OF SENDING THIS TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN.
CHRISTMAS WILL BE COMING SOON AND SOME CREDIT IS DUE TO OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN FOR OUR BEING ABLE TO CELEBRATE THESE FESTIVITIES.

Anne.

Post by **Anne H** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 2:32 am

Hello Anne,

Thank you for sharing such a thought provoking poem...I'll forward it on.

Merry Christmas to all our men and women far and near. Hopefully they will be able to have a little bit of Christmas cheer.

Anne H

Post by **marilyn morning** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 3:46 am

This poem was wriiten by a peace keeping soldier stationed overseas, the following is his request I think it is reasonable.
PLEASE WOULD YOU DO ME THE KIND FAVOUR OF SENDING THIS TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN.
CHRISTMAS WILL BE COMING SOON AND SOME CREDIT IS DUE TO OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN FOR OUR BEING ABLE TO CELEBRATE THESE FESTIVITIES.

Hi Anne,

Thanks for sharing this special poem. Last Christmas my nephew, Adam was stationed in Iraq and I wanted to send him a little piece of home, so I wrapped up a giant care package and on top I placed a "real" decorated Christmas wreath with real pine cones, red berries and some fake sprayed on white snow.

When he called home on Christmas day, I asked where he hung his wreath? Adam said the wreath was a big hit with the troops and everyone loved seeing a "real" piece of Christmas in the desert. He also told me that, for the first few days it hung in his tent and then he tied it to his tank. On Christmas morning his commanding officer noticed it and requested the wreath be hung in the mess hall for the Holiday dinner. Of course it did, but after that afternoon it kept disappearing and would wind up in someone else's tent for the night until every single pine needle fell off and all that remained was the red velvet bow, which he tied to his tank.

Adam is home this Christmas for the first time in six years.

Regards
Marilyn

nelmit · Post by **nelmit** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 9:51 am

Noo yee huv got me greetin'.

Hope you all enjoy having him home at Christmas Marylin

Kind regards,
Annette M

anner · Post by **anner** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 10:20 am

Hi Annette, Marilyn and Anne H,
I just thought it was one of the best things I had recieved and yes it did make me cry too.
I hope it encourages people to remember our troops who are away at this time of year, it certainly did me.
Best Wishes
Anne.

Happy Christmas to all at TS and may it bring all that we are hoping for, and lets all welcome the New Year in with a bang.

Post by **emanday** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 12:24 pm

My prayers go out to all our boys and girls serving in hazardous circumstances, far away from family and friends.

From one who has been a "left behind waiting for news" my prayers also for their nearest and dearest.

God Bless them all.

anner · Post by **anner** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 12:42 pm

Hear Hear Mary.
My nephew has come back from six months serving in Afghanistan, just in time for the birth of his first daughter on the 16th December. We are glad to have him back safely as is all the family.

My thoughts and respect also go to those still serving overseas at this time of year.
Anne