In Support of Our Troops
Many of our military troops will not be home with their families for the holidays this year. Our soldiers deserve to be in our thoughts and prayers this Christmas season. They fight for our freedom and we owe them so much.
I received a tribute to our US troops in my email in the form of a poem. This poem is a modified version of "Twas the Night Before Christmas." It is a heart-wrenching story of Santa coming down a chimney to visit a US soldier. I was very moved by it.
Along with the poem came a request to share this tribute with everyone we know so that we may all be thinking of our American soldiers this holiday season. My way of spreading this tribute was to create this lens so that I could hopefully share this message with all of my fellow Americans.
Thanks to a fellow Squidoo member, I have been able to confirm that this poem was written by Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt in 1987 and that the actual title was "A Soldier's Silent Night." I hope that you enjoy this holiday tribute as much as I do.
Twas The Night Before Christmas
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
Not even a tree.
No stocking by mantle
Just boots filled with sand
On the wall hung pictures
Of far distant lands.
With medals and badgesAwards of all kinds
A sober thought
Came through my mind.
Tor 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 heroOf 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 wonderHow 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 overAnd 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.
Then the soldier rolled overWith 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."
Written By:
Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt
Included with this beautiful poem came a very touching request:
Request from a Soldier ~
Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U. S. service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. 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.
Show Your Support
This poem was written by one of our soldiers and it is a beautiful message. We should all thank God and our US military for our freedom. While celebrating the holidays this year, give a thought to the soldiers who are fighting for our country and take the time to say a prayer that they may be brought home safely.If you would like to show your support of the American soldiers, please heed this small but heartfelt request and email this tribute to your friends and loved ones. Spread this message so that we may all be thinking of our brave soldiers this holiday season.
A Soldier's Silent Night
Bring Him Home, Santa
You can visit BringHimHomeSanta.com for a copy. 50% of all the proceeds earned from this song goes to St. Judes Children's Hospital!
Bring Him Home Santa
Visit www.bringhimhomesanta.com to get your copy of this wonderful song!
Send A Message To A Soldier
Let's Say ThanksIn Support Of Our Troops
This website allows you to send a free personalized message to our soldiers overseas. Show your support and appreciation of their hard work and service to our country. You can also read heartwarming messages from the grateful soldiers who have received these cards. Send a message to a soldier today and lift the hearts of those who allow us our freedom.
Click here to send a message to a soldier.
Adopt a Soldier
Adopt A SoldierSoldiers Angels
If you are looking for an active way to support our troops, you might consider adopting a soldier. By joining Soldiers Angels adopt-a-soldier program, you commit to sending sending one card or letter each week and at least one or two care packages a month. This is one of the best things you can do to help brighten up a soldiers day. It is so very important for each of them to know that we care and support them and your letters and care packages will do just that.
Click here to find out how you can adopt a soldier.
Soldiers Angels
Soldier's Angels Video
Support Our Troops
American Soldier
Toby Keiths Tribute to our United States Military
This song by Toby Keith is a heartwarming message and a tribute to our American soldiers. The video is beautiful as well as heart-wrenching as it follows a U.S. Airman as he is called away from his family at Christmas time.This song is from Toby's Shock'n Y'all album. Here are the lyrics from this wonderful tribute and below you will also find the video preformed by Toby Keith.
American Soldier
I'm just tryin' to be a father, raise a daughter and a son
Be a lover to their mother, everythin' to everyone
Up and at 'em bright and early, I'm all business in my suit
Yeah I'm dressed up for success, from my head down to my boots.
I don't do it for money, there's bills I that I can't pay
I don't do it for the glory, I just do it anyway
Providing for our future's, my responsibility
Yeah I'm real good under pressure, being all that I can be
And I can't call in sick on Mondays when the weekend's been too strong
I just work straight through the holidays, and sometimes all night long
You can bet that I stand ready, when the wolf growls at the door
Hey I'm solid, hey I'm steady, hey I'm true down to the core.
And I will always do my duty no matter what the price
I've counted up the cost, I know the sacrifice
Oh and I don't want to die for you, but if dyin's asked of me
I'll bear that cross with honor, cause freedom don't come free.
I'm an American Soldier, an American
Beside my brothers and my sisters, I will proudly take a stand
When liberty's in jeopardy, I will always do what's right
I'm out here on the front lines, sleep in peace tonight
American Soldier, I'm and American, Soldier.
More By Toby Keith
![35 Biggest Hits [2 CD]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51xdkxX6tYL._SL75_.jpg)
Video Tributes for Our United States Soldiers
Note: Each video should open in a separate window or tab, depending on your browser.
Support Our Troops
Just a reminder: Proceeds for this lens go to the Soldiers Angels fund.
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Share Your Thoughts
Here's your chance to share your thoughts and feelings regarding our brave American Soldiers. Post a note below to show your support. Please be sure to share this tribute with your friends and family members.
Thank you and may you have a Merry Christmas!
~ Crystal Booth
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Roving_Band
This is a wonderful lens! It's great to be in the "Best Christmas Ever Group" with you! Posted March 12, 2008 |
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waharndt
A wonderful site. I really enjoyed it. Posted March 05, 2008 |
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SemperFidelis
Nicely done. Looks like you put a lot of effort into this lens. Certainly a 5* :o) Posted December 05, 2007 |
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Susan52
Thanks for supporting Soldiers' Angels. They supported our son so much when he was in Iraq. He was very, very touched to receive cards and letters from perfect strangers, and we were very appreciative as well. Posted December 01, 2007 |
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tdove
This is a wonderful lens. So many soldiers have given their life for us to be free. I wish they can all come home for Christmas. Posted December 01, 2007 |
(Christmas is December 25, 2008)
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A Soldier's Silent Night
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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 aw...
Here's my favorite link:
Merry Christmas
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