A Sailor's Christmas
Sailors stood watch while others were dreaming.
They lived in a crowd with racks tight and small,
in a 80-man berthing, cramped one and all.
I had come down the stack with presents to give,
And to see inside just who might perhaps live.
I looked all about, a strange sight did I see,
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stockings were hung, shined boots close at hand,
On the bulkhead hung pictures of a far distant land.
They had medals and 20 badges and awards of all kind,
And a sober thought came into my mind.
For this place was different, so dark and so dreary,
I had found the house of a Sailor, once I saw clearly.
A Sailor lay sleeping, silent and alone,
Curled up in a rack and dreaming of home.
The face was so gentle, the room squared away,
This was the United States Sailor today.
This was the hero I saw on TV,
Defending our country so we could be free.
I realized the families that I would visit this night,
Owed their lives to these Sailors lay willing to fight.
Soon round the world, the children would play,
And grownups would celebrate on Christmas Day.
They all enjoyed freedom each day of the year,
Because of the Sailor, like the one lying here.
I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone,
On a cold Christmas Eve on a sea, far from home.
The very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.
The Sailor awakened and I heard a calm voice,
"Santa, don't cry, this life is my choice."
"Defending the seas all days fo the year,
So others may live and be free with no fear."
I thought for a moment, what a difficult road,
To live a life guided by honor and code.
After all it's Christmas Eve and the ship's underway!
But freedom isn't free and it's sailors who pay.
The Sailor say's to our country "be free and sleep tight,
No harm will come, not on my watch and not on this night."
The Sailor rolled over and drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours, so silent, so still,
I watched as the Sailor shrivered from the night's cold chill.
I didn't wat to leave on that cold dark night,
This guardian of honor so willing to fight.
The Sailor rolled over and with voice strong and sure,
Commanded, "Carry on Santa, It's Christmas and All is secure!"
HONOR, COURAGE AND COMMITMENT.
From: VetFriends.com
Merry Christmas to all! Jesus is the reason for the season!
Views: 741
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Comment by Ingrid-Armando's mom on December 25, 2008 at 10:43am -
i have heard this over the radio this year and i cry every time i hear it. i love the story. i would love to read it over christmas dinner today but dont think i can do it without crying.
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Comment by Andrea on January 15, 2009 at 5:36pm -
Hi
I am just getting a chance to catch up on all the posts and read this poem....it is wonderful. My sailor was on board the Abe for Christmas because he had Duty and flew home for the holidays on Dec 27th . It was a great visit with him home over the holidays.....but Christmas Day he was still missed. This poem touched my heart and I shed a few tears.....very touching. Thanks for sharing......Andrea:)
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Comment by nana on December 25, 2011 at 8:14am -
I love this poem and very much miss my son this Christmas day, this poem brought me joy!
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Comment by Sue-Pillowcase lady on December 25, 2011 at 2:20pm -
glad to know that Nana. This is the 1st Christmas since 2006 that I will spend Christmas with my son. Last year he was deployed on the LIncoln.
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Comment by trackmom on December 27, 2011 at 6:12pm -
One of my Recurites friends posted this poem on my facebook page so I went on line and printed the poem and am going to put it with my Christmas Decorations. I cried. I was one of the lucky moms this Christmas. My recurit gradutes bootcamp Jan. 13th and was able to take part in the Adopt a Sailor program so off to Great Lakes I went Christmas day. It was so good to see him. I not call him my Holiday Baby. He was born on Thanksgiving day 19 years ago and this Christmas was so honored to spend the day with him as a Proud Navy Recurit.
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Comment by Sue-Pillowcase lady on December 28, 2011 at 8:28am
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Trackmom, what a special Christmas blessing that was for you!
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