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To All A Goodnight ...............Veterans Day

DEROS72

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 18, 2008
Messages
2,817
Location
Valhalla
The following was written by a Marine.To me it represents all that serve and have served this country.



And To All A Goodnight….

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.

As I looked all about a strange sight did I see
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand.
On the walls hung pictures of a far distant land.

With medals and badges, awards of all kind.
A sobering thought soon came to my mind.
For this house was different, unlike any I’ve seen.
This was the home of a U.S. Marine.

I’d heard stories about them, I had to see more.
So I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone.
Curled up on the floor of his one bedroom home.

He seemed so gentle, his face so serene.
Not how I pictured a U.S.Marine.
Was this the hero, of whom I’d just read.
Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed.

His head was clean shaven, his face weathered tan.
I soon understood this was more than a man.
For I realized the families, that I saw that night.
Owed their lives to these men, who were willing to fight.

Soon around the nation, the children would play.
And grownups would celebrate, on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year.
Because of Marines , like this one lying here.

I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone.
On a cold Christmas eve, in a land far from home.
Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye.
I dropped to my knee and I started to cry.


He must have awoken, for I heard a rough voice.
Santa don’t cry, .This is my choice.
I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more.
My life is my God, my country, my Corps.

With that he rolled over, drifted off into sleep.
I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep.
I watched him for hours, so silent and still.
I noticed he shivered from the cold nights chill.

So I took off my jacket, the one made of red.
And covered this Marine from his toes to his head.
Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold.
With an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold.

And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride.
And for one shining moment, I was Marine Corps deep inside.
I didn’t want to leave him so quiet in the night.
This guardian of honor so willing to fight.
But half asleep he rolled over, and in a voice clean and pure, said
“Carry on Santa, its Christmas day, all secure.”
One look at my watch and I knew he was right.
Merry Christmas my friend, Semper Fi, and goodnight.
 

Jayd1981

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 14, 2010
Messages
387
Location
Richland, Washington, USA
I'll add my favorite.

The Final Inspection

The soldier stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass;
He hoped his shoes were shining bright,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't;
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was rough;
I've had to break your rules my Lord,
Because the world is awfully tough.

But, I never took a thing
That wasn't mine to keep;
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear;
And sometimes ... God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here;
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand;
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."

There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints often trod;
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, soldier,
You've borne your burdens well;
Come walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in HELL!"
~ Author Unknown ~

Have a Happy Veterans Day to all my brothers and sisters in arms.
 

Ruby

Regular Member
Joined
May 5, 2010
Messages
1,201
Location
Renton, Washington, USA
Happy Veteran's Day to all my fellow veterans! I am proud to have served my country. May God bless all veterans and the troops who are serving now.
 

Deleted_User

Guest
Joined
Aug 30, 2010
Messages
807
Happy Veteran's Day to all my fellow veterans! I am proud to have served my country. May God bless all veterans and the troops who are serving now.

+1 to all my brothers and sisters in arms. Thank you for your service and the honor of serving with you.
 

gogodawgs

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Oct 25, 2009
Messages
5,669
Location
Federal Way, Washington, USA
To some vetrans in my family...

My wife...Navy, Operation Noble Eagle
My dad...Vietnam, Yeoman for Adm. Ulysses S. Grant Sharp Jr.
My uncles...Vietnam, US Army
My great uncle...Ada Andersen, USS Arizona WWII
My great great, great, great grandfather....William L Storrs, War of 1812, US Congressman
My great great, great great uncle...Henry R Storrs, War of 1812, US Congressman
And lastly, (not sure...great something grandfather) James Smith, Revolutionary War, Signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Thanks to my family who have served, their wives and families....
 

Leatherneck

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2010
Messages
281
Location
Des Moines, Washington, USA
My wife...Navy, Operation Noble Eagle
My dad...Vietnam, Yeoman for Adm. Ulysses S. Grant Sharp Jr.
My uncles...Vietnam, US Army
My great uncle...Ada Andersen, USS Arizona WWII
My great great, great, great grandfather....William L Storrs, War of 1812, US Congressman
My great great, great great uncle...Henry R Storrs, War of 1812, US Congressman
And lastly, (not sure...great something grandfather) James Smith, Revolutionary War, Signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Thanks to my family who have served, their wives and families....

There's a nice lineage to be proud of!
 

tannerwaterbury

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 21, 2009
Messages
269
Location
Kelso, Washington, USA
Thanks to all that served past and present. I wish I could say the same to my father, unfortunately he passed away 2 years ago. he was a veteran of the Second World War, and I have always felt a sense of pride whenever I was with him. God bless you all and may those who are currently serving stay safe out there.
 

Squeak

Regular Member
Joined
May 31, 2009
Messages
827
Location
Port Orchard,
My wife...Navy, Operation Noble Eagle
My dad...Vietnam, Yeoman for Adm. Ulysses S. Grant Sharp Jr.
My uncles...Vietnam, US Army
My great uncle...Ada Andersen, USS Arizona WWII
My great great, great, great grandfather....William L Storrs, War of 1812, US Congressman
My great great, great great uncle...Henry R Storrs, War of 1812, US Congressman
And lastly, (not sure...great something grandfather) James Smith, Revolutionary War, Signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Thanks to my family who have served, their wives and families....
Good post.
 

DEROS72

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 18, 2008
Messages
2,817
Location
Valhalla
My father in WW2 in the pacific.Korea,Myself with the 1st Cav and 75th Rangers in Vietnam.

I remember David Allen Lydic PFC 1st Cav from Jonestown PA. killed in Vietnam May 10th 1972.We went through training together and to Vietnam. He was 19 and a good friend.
 

Dave Workman

Regular Member
Joined
May 23, 2007
Messages
1,874
Location
, ,
Don't tell me why you didn't vote, explain it to a vet

"...On this day when the nation honors its military veterans ... it might be more appropriate for these non-voting slackers to trot down to the local Veterans of Foreign Wars hall, find somebody who walks on crutches or artificial limbs, or will spend the rest of his days in a wheelchair, and explain to that citizen hero just why it was that you couldn’t get off your lazy fat apathy to vote....

"...AND, IN MEMORIUM, this column humbly suggests that one of the reasons it will be hard to hear in Heaven from now on is that the great Dave Niehaus is, at this very moment, sitting at a golden mike, calling the plays for that eternal baseball game in the sky, bringing the fans out of their seats...


http://www.examiner.com/gun-rights-in-seattle/don-t-tell-me-why-you-didn-t-vote-explain-it-to-a-vet

Or try this:

http://tinyurl.com/2c73cre
 
Last edited:

SFCRetired

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 29, 2008
Messages
1,764
Location
Montgomery, Alabama, USA
From the Great State of Alabama

To all my brothers and sisters in arms, past and present, in the Great State of Washington: Thank you for your service and may you have a memorable Veterans' Day.

One great grandfather - 44th Indiana Volunteer Infantry
Two other great grandfathers - 32nd Alabama Infantry
Dad - Field Artillery - France WWI
Cousin - Normandy Invasion WWII
Stepbrother - Korea and Vietnam - U.S.Navy
Self - Twenty-one years, U.S. Army Ordnance Corps (I was on Active Duty when the Berlin Wall was erected and I was on Active Duty when it was torn down)
Son and Daughter-in-law - U.S. Army - Son is in Afghanistan at present - Dad will stay worried until he is back home.
 

Jeff Hayes

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2009
Messages
2,569
Location
Long gone
My family came to this country in the 1600s before it was a country and have served ever since
Just a few of my family I would like to honor today, I could go on and on.

Steve Hayes Son USMC Iraq
Koenig Hayes Uncle USMC Chosin Reservoir
Nathan Moore Grandfather WW1 French trenches
Phillip Hupp Matross USMC 1775-1779
Everhart Hupp LT Revolutionary Army
 

sudden valley gunner

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2008
Messages
16,674
Location
Whatcom County
My family came to this country in the 1600s before it was a country and have served ever since
Just a few of my family I would like to honor today, I could go on and on.

Steve Hayes Son USMC Iraq
Koenig Hayes Uncle USMC Chosin Reservoir
Nathan Moore Grandfather WW1 French trenches
Phillip Hupp Matross USMC 1775-1779
Everhart Hupp LT Revolutionary Army

My family came around the same time two branches, theres a town in Vermont named after my last name. the others Virginia area, and of course the other part been around here for 12,000 years or so.

Heartfelt thanks to all the warriors who served and made things like freely posting our thoughts on a a forum (an inherit right) possible.

Although I haven't signed up for the service most my family have, my cousin has done 3 tours in Iraq and is getting ready to be deployed again to Afganistan. My grandfather served in the navy in the south pacific, my brother in Persian golf and Korea (most folks don't realize Korean War is still ongoing) several uncles in Vietnam. To all a thanks, and again from the native american belief we are born warriors ...Hy'shqe siam. Thank you.
 

gogodawgs

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Oct 25, 2009
Messages
5,669
Location
Federal Way, Washington, USA
My family came to this country in the 1600s before it was a country and have served ever since
Just a few of my family I would like to honor today, I could go on and on.

Steve Hayes Son USMC Iraq
Koenig Hayes Uncle USMC Chosin Reservoir
Nathan Moore Grandfather WW1 French trenches
Phillip Hupp Matross USMC 1775-1779
Everhart Hupp LT Revolutionary Army

Knew there was a reason we seem to have the same perspectives on Freedom.
 
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