A Poem For All of My Vietnam Veteran Brothers and Sisters This Christmas Season:

[VIETNAM 1968]

I received the following Christmas Poem from a very good friend of mine. After reading it over I wanted to share it with all of my Vietnam Veteran Brothers and Sisters during this Christmas Season. I hope that you all enjoy it as much as I did.

A DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS POEM
Author Unknown


"The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and cherished the sight

My Wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My Daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell creating a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard into a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in a tree, I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve."

My eyelids were heavy and my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by Love I would sleep.

In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
I slumbered and perhaps started to dream.

The sound was't loud and it was not too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.

Perhaps just a cough I don't quite know,
Then the sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble and 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 night,
A lone figure stood with his face weary and tight.

A soldier I puzzled some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine huddled there in the cold.

Alone in the dark he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me 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 and brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on this cold Christmas Eve.

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and snow blowing in drifts.

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light,
Then he sighed and said It really is all right,
I am out here by choice and I am here every night .

Ti's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of time.

No one had to ask or beg me,
I am proud to stand here like my fathers did before me.

My Gramps died at Peral on that day in December,
That's a Christmas Gram always will remember.

My dad stood his watch in the jungles of Nam,
Now it is my turn and so here I am.

I have not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures. He sure has 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,
And I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.

I can carry the weight of killing another,
or lay down my life for a sisters or a brother.

Who stands at the front against any and all,
Just to ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.

So go back inside he said and harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right.

But isn't there something I can do at least,
Give you some money or perhaps a feast?

It seems all too little for all that you have done,
Being away from your wife and your young son.

Then his eyes 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 are gone,
To stand your own watch. No matter how long.

For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember that we fought and we bled.

Is payment enough and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."


I hope that you all enjoyed this poem and the spirit that it was sent along. I also want to take a moment or two to wish everyone a huge MERRY CHRISTMAS and THE HAPPIEST OF NEW YEAR. I will look forward to another year of enjoyment on this Patriot Files. You all have been there for me, when I needed someone to help me keep my own demons of Vietnam off of my back. You all really are my BROTHERS and SISTERS. May God Bless all of you.

As always: WELCOME HOME


VIETNAM 1968