HuskerfaninOkieland Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Not sure how much I'll be online the next few days so I wanted to drop in and say "Merry Christmas" to everyone. And to not forget our men and women serving overseas who can't be home for the holidays this year. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers this weekend. And with that... The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight. My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, My daughter beside me, angelic in rest. Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, Transforming the yard to a winter delight. The sparkling lights in the tree I believe, Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve. My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep, Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep. In perfect contentment, or so it would seem, So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream. The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near, But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear. Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow. My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear, And I crept to the door just to see who was near. Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night, A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight. A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old, Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold. Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled, Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child. "What are you doing?" I asked without fear, "Come in this moment, it's freezing out here! Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve, You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!" For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift, Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.. To the window that danced with a warm fire's light Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right, I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night." "It's my duty to stand at the front of the line, That separates you from the darkest of times. No one had to ask or beg or implore me, I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me. My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December," Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers." My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ', And now it is my turn and so, here I am. I've not seen my own son in more than a while, But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile. Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag, The red, white, and blue... an American flag. I can live through the cold and the being alone, Away from my family, my house and my home. I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet, I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat. I can carry the weight of killing another, Or lay down my life with my sister and brother.. Who stand at the front against any and all, To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall." " So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright, Your family is waiting and I'll be all right." "But isn't there something I can do, at the least, "Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast? It seems all too little for all that you've done, For being away from your wife and your son." Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret, "Just tell us you love us, and never forget. To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone, To stand your own watch, no matter how long. For when we come home, either standing or dead, To know you remember we fought and we bled. Is payment enough, and with that we will trust, That we mattered to you as you mattered to us." Quote Link to comment
Blaze1up Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Happy Festivus Quote Link to comment
NUance Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 One of the greatest Christmas songs of all time. Quote Link to comment
Roxy15 Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Thank You...I wish everyone on Huskerboard a Very Merry Xmas & A Happy New Year also:) Take Care & Stay Safe. Quote Link to comment
GM_Tood Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Merry Christmas everyone! Quote Link to comment
HSKRNOKC Posted December 24, 2010 Share Posted December 24, 2010 HFIOL Merry Christmas to you and yours neighbor. God bless. Quote Link to comment
rawhide Posted December 24, 2010 Share Posted December 24, 2010 Merry Christmas to all the board and to our Servicemen and Servicewomen across the globe. GBR Quote Link to comment
killer cacti Posted December 24, 2010 Share Posted December 24, 2010 Merry Christmas everyone! Quote Link to comment
huKSer Posted December 24, 2010 Share Posted December 24, 2010 Break this out every year Quote Link to comment
Micheal Posted December 25, 2010 Share Posted December 25, 2010 Merry Christmas to Everyone! Thank you to all who serve! Quote Link to comment
kansas husker Posted December 25, 2010 Share Posted December 25, 2010 Merry Christmas, hope all have a blessed holiday. Quote Link to comment
huskersrule95 Posted December 25, 2010 Share Posted December 25, 2010 Merry Christmas everyone!!! Quote Link to comment
IceMan Posted December 25, 2010 Share Posted December 25, 2010 I don't post a lot but I read almost daily! I just wanted to say Merry Christmas and here's to the Big 10! Quote Link to comment
okaive Posted December 25, 2010 Share Posted December 25, 2010 Merry Christmas. Quote Link to comment
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