Thoughts of Soldiers, Christmas and Freedom

I pray for hope I pray for peace
I pray for unity between you and me
I pray the heavens will open some day
All of God's people will look up and say,
Deep in the heart of a war,
God heard a Soldier's Prayer.

A Soldiers Prayer:
I signed a piece of paper.
I took an oath as well
I promised to protect
MY COUNTRY...Tis a mission
I can't fail!
I have banded with my comrades
So together, strong, we stand,
In defense of this GREAT NATION
Of this bright and promised land.


So, I will gladly do my duty
And if I must give my all
My prayer will be....those left behind
Will continue to STAND TALL


To fight for PEACE and FREEDOM
To proctect SWEET LIBERTY
I pray, Dear Father,
that you grant this humble
SOLDIERS PLEA

Today is a good day: We are FREE. Today is a good day: We are ALIVE. Today is a good day: This is our LAND. Today is a good day: God is with us ALWAYS!

To all Soldiers, lest they might think they are forgotten...

As my family and I sat with a 30 years veteran I thought of all those soldiers he trained, the many he brought home. the ones who might not have made it... The men who followed him, the people who stood by him, his wife, his children... A true Soldier, a brave man...

I thought of Soldiers, Christmas and Freedom...and cherished dreams...
The following poem has s special place in my heart...

Christmas Poem

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 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 HONOUR SO WILLING TO FIGHT.

THEN 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."

And for my best Friend,

The Silent Ranks

I wear no uniforms, no blues or army greens.
But I am in the military in the ranks rarely seen.
I have no rank upon my shoulders. salutes I do not give.
But the military world is the place where I live.

I'm not in the chain of command, orders I do not get.
But my husband is the one who does, this I cannot forget.
I'm not the ones who fires the weapon, who puts my life on the line.
But my job is just as tough. I am the one that's left behind.

My husband is a patriot, a brave prideful man
and the call to serve his country, not all can understand.
Behind the lines I see the things needed to keep this country free.
My husband makes the sacrifice, but so do our kids and me.

I love the man I married. Soldiering is his life.
But I stand among the silent ranks known as the Military Wife.

Thank you!