A Soldier's Silent Night

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Brief background of A Soldier's Silent Night

Originally titled "Merry Christmas, My Friend" and written by Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt in 1987.  The audio recording was done by Father Ted Berndt and his daughter Ellen Stout in one take.  Father Berndt has since passed away (3/19/2004), but his life's mission lives on - "to touch lives and make a difference."

At Christmastime while you are enjoying your time with family and friends, remember the soldiers spending Christmas away from their families and their country. 

When you hit your knees tonight - say a prayer of thanks. 

A Soldier's Silent Night - Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt 



'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 home did live.
I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents, net 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 United States 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 couldn'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.
The 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.

A Soldier's Silent Night Video 

A Soldier's Silent Night

May "A Soldier's Silent Night" transcend any opinion about this war or any war, and go deeper to foster an appreciation for the selfless sacrifice and courage of The United States soldier and their families.

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197 Comments:

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100% of the proceeds from this lens go to the Soldiers' Angels 

"Soldiers' Angels mission is to provide aide and comfort to the men and women of the United States Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and the Coast Guard and their amazing families."

Their slogan is "May No Soldier Go Unloved, May No Soldier Walk Alone, May No Soldier Be Forgotten, Until They All Come Home."

Patti Patton-Bader is the mother of Sgt. Brandon Varn. While Brandon was stationed in Iraq he noticed that a lot of soldiers did not receive any letters or other support from home.

Patti wanted to make a difference and enlisted friends and neighbors to "adopt" soldiers and send them letters and care packages. What began in such a small way has since grown into the non-profit entity - Soldiers' Angels and has grown into a huge internet community that helps support thousands of soldiers across the globe.

For more information about Soldiers' Angels or to make a donation, visit www.SoldiersAngels.org.

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Help Support Soldier's Angels 

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A Soldier's Silent Night MP3 

Audio Recording by Father Ted Berndt and his daughter Ellen Stout

You can get an MP3 of Father Ted Berndt reading this poignant poem. www.tankmastergunner.com/images/silent_night.mp3

Share your thoughts and prayers for our soldiers 

It doesn't matter if you are for the war or against it. We should all be for those brave men and women who choose to fight in order that we may enjoy the many comforts of home.

Thank you, men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces. Merry Christmas and God Bless.

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  • Reply
    amandascloset0 amandascloset0 Dec 31, 2008 @ 10:58 am
    It looks like you've updated this lens since last I looked at it. It looks great as do all of your lenses I've read. Doesn't have to be Christmas to appreciate our soldiers. 5 stars, fav, fan. Also lensrolled to my WWII lens. Thanks for posting it!
  • Reply
    Jenny Jenny Dec 25, 2008 @ 5:44 pm
    My dearest Becky,

    Thank you to you, your friend's husband and their boys for their father fighting for freedom in Iraq. It is my father, Father Ted, and my sister, Ellen, who produced the song, "A Soldier's Silent Night." I created the website, http://www.soldiersilentnight.com for the honor of my Dad and all the families who sacrifice for honor and freedom.

    Thank you, all of you who have heard this, been touched by this and have written! As Ellen says, all Dad ever wanted to do was to touch lives. Please share this with anyone and everyone. We're so blest that it has touched you! I know Dad is peering down from heaven and smiling...and he DID look like Santa:)
  • Reply
    Tom Marshall Tom Marshall Dec 25, 2008 @ 1:04 am
    I live a life beyond dreams.......family, kids, grandkids, fishing, hunting, packing mules in the mountains and a loving wife. ALL MADE POSSIBLE BY AND PROTECTED BY OUR US MILITARY. Everything I have I am in debt to you brave soldiers. Thank you.
  • Reply
    SMSgt (Retired) SMSgt (Retired) Dec 24, 2008 @ 12:44 am
    Thanks to everyone for remembering all our brave men and women so far away from home on this most glorious of days. May the good Lord keep them all safe and sound so they may return to the loved ones they left behind. Thankfully, I and my two Marine sons all returned safe and sound - may they all be home soon!
  • Reply
    Valerie Price Valerie Price Dec 22, 2008 @ 7:55 pm
    This song made me cry when I heard this. This song is so true too. I will be serving in the military soon and this song just makes me proud of being a soon-to-be Marine or Army soldier. Thank you everyone who serves. Bless you.
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