If you're not in love with an airman, you can never imagine the hole in your heart when that phone call comes. "Honey, I am leaving tomorrow to go overseas. I don't know how long I will be gone or exactly where I am going, but I want you to know that I love you - always!" You don't know the anxiety that comes with not knowing any specifics until it is already happening.
If you're not in love with an airman, you don't know what it's like to say that final good-bye, to watch those buses drive away and wonder if you will ever see him again. You don't know what it really means to be glued to the television watching CNN. You don't understand fear and you can't possibly understand the sleepless nights of endless crying wondering if you will ever see the love of your life alive again.
If you're not in love with an airman, you can't understand why a computer must always be on full volume just in case. And why it is necessary to have one of every messenger... because you will never know when MSN messenger might work and Yahoo wont, or vice versa.
If you're not in love with an airman, you don't know the best brand of webcam and all of the features by heart and recommend them to everyone you know. You can fully utilize all of the emoticons on every messenger and even know the hidden ones on yahoo.
If you're not in love with an airman, you also won't understand the importance of always having access to a cell phone charger. Or having that special ringer for "unknown" and 13 digit phone numbers.
If you're not in love with an airman, you would never understand the bond that instantly forms with any woman you see wearing anything battalion-related.
If you're not in love with an airman, on the nights where we all come together and talk for hours about nothing but our men, and how even those little things that annoyed the crap out of us a few months ago are the things we miss so much. And then compare ideas on how to keep them... "entertained.
If you're not in love with an airman, you can't know the immense joy, the uncontrollable smile, or the butterflies in your stomach when you see your soldier march into the family waiting area upon redeployment or the end of basic training. You can't understand the self-control it takes to stand on the other side of the room as some higher-up gives a seemingly endless welcome home speech while all the soldiers stand in formation. You don't know what it's like to have that second first kiss or what it's like to experience puppy love all over again. You spend hours and hours getting ready so everything is in perfect place, just to have your hair ruffled and everything tousled up with that first embrace.
If you're not in love with an airman, you can't truly understand how to make every moment count because you never know when that phone call may come again. You don't understand why a secret bottle of cologne is kept in the medicine cabinet, or his deodorant left on the bathroom sink all year, just to smell when you want to feel closer to him.
If you're not in love with an airman, you can never really understand how very delicate life is! You don't understand how fast one phone call, or a knock at the door can instantly change life for so many people.
You don't understand why the National Anthem will forever be something that we will STAND for and probably well up in tears, no matter where life takes you after the military.
Wednesday, December 2
I am a Military Girlfriend
I am a military girlfriend. I hold no formal recognition with the powers that be. I am at the bottom of the chain. I hold no Military ID card; I am not a "dependent" or parent. The man i love may face unspeakable dangers, and I am at the mercy of those who possess this recognition for news. I understand this and accept this.
I am a military girlfriend. I have promised to be here for him upon his return, no matter how long he is away. People may say I am insane for making such a commitment with no quarentees, but i hold onto our promises and have faith that he will come home safe to me. I know full well that my love for him fuels him in the worst of times.
I am a military girlfriend. There is no ring on my finger to symbolize our commitment, though I love him no less forit. I hope every day that he will be able to call because a simple 30-second phone call can bring the greatest spectrum of emotions...smiling with tears in my eyes from so much joy and pain. My relationship is based on brief communication where "I love you and I'm okay" speaks more than volumes and gives me the strength to keep going.
I am a military girlfriend. I take no moment spent together for granted. I hold onto every touch, caress, kiss, and every word. I have memroized the feel of his skin, his smell, the sound of his voice,and I play it over and over in my head so that I will not forget. I cry myself to sleep some nights because missing him hurts so badle, but wake up the next morning, brush myself off, and start a new day.
I am a military girlfriend. The events of the next serveral months hold my life, my love, and my future in the balance. When you watch the news reports, you may turn away and go about your business relatively unaffected. When I watch the news,stories of the war, I do not see nameless soldiers a half a world away. I see individuals who will be forever changed by the war. News of every casualty causes me physical pain and deep sadness.
I am a military girlfriend. I have promised to be here for him upon his return, no matter how long he is away. People may say I am insane for making such a commitment with no quarentees, but i hold onto our promises and have faith that he will come home safe to me. I know full well that my love for him fuels him in the worst of times.
I am a military girlfriend. There is no ring on my finger to symbolize our commitment, though I love him no less forit. I hope every day that he will be able to call because a simple 30-second phone call can bring the greatest spectrum of emotions...smiling with tears in my eyes from so much joy and pain. My relationship is based on brief communication where "I love you and I'm okay" speaks more than volumes and gives me the strength to keep going.
I am a military girlfriend. I take no moment spent together for granted. I hold onto every touch, caress, kiss, and every word. I have memroized the feel of his skin, his smell, the sound of his voice,and I play it over and over in my head so that I will not forget. I cry myself to sleep some nights because missing him hurts so badle, but wake up the next morning, brush myself off, and start a new day.
I am a military girlfriend. The events of the next serveral months hold my life, my love, and my future in the balance. When you watch the news reports, you may turn away and go about your business relatively unaffected. When I watch the news,stories of the war, I do not see nameless soldiers a half a world away. I see individuals who will be forever changed by the war. News of every casualty causes me physical pain and deep sadness.
You Know You're a Military Significant Other When..
1. You wear old sweatpants and sweatshirts to bed.
2. You can watch whatever you want on TV without arguing with him first
3. You get up in the middle of the night to check your e-mail.
4. You sleep with your cell phone incase he calls in the middle of the night.
5. You love watching cute love movies because it reminds you of all the cute things he does when he's home.
6. You haven't shaved your legs in weeks.
7. The mailman knows you because you are always out waiting for him to come.
8. You start paying close attention in class when the words "military" or "iraq" are mentioned.
9. You suddenly have an obsession with anything military related.
10. You see someone wearing an usaf, army, navy, or usmc shirt and you get this overwhelming urge to talk to them.
11. You make friends with strangers online just because they are in the same situation as you and are the only ones that can truly understand what you are going through.
12. You can't decide what to wear when you meet him at the airport because his flight comes in at a ridiculous hour in the morning and you want to look cute, but not too cute, because your cutest outfit you want to save for your first full day together.
13. Your first Christmas together is... apart.
14. You find yourself checking your e-mail every fifteen minutes.
15. You know all the time differences between where you are and Iraq, Ireland, Kuwait, Italy, Germany, Korea, and every state in the U.S.
16. The highlight of your day is getting a letter that was mailed a month ago.
17. And if you don't get a letter, the highlight of your day is writing him a letter that you know he will be able to read in a month.
18. You realize that HOMECOMING is so much more than a football game.
19. You want to hit any happy couple you see together
20. You get excited about "unknown" phone numbers calling you.
21. You've exhausted every idea a brain could have of what to put in a box.
22. You see a "support our troops" sticker on a car when you are stuck in traffic and you find yourself guessing about who they know that is deployed and thinking about their entire life story.
23. When the clock says 11:11, you find yourself wishing for the same thing every time: a call from your soldier.
24. You get excited when its only 5 months until you see your Soldier instead of 7!
25. You can't stand girls that talk about missing their boyfriends who live a few hours away. You just want to yell "drive and go see them them" because if you had the chance, you would jump on the first plane to go see your soldier no matter how far it is.
26. You don't know what teams are on top for football, basketball, etc.
27. You wouldn't dream of walking out of the house without the cell phone and every number you have is forwarded to that cell.
28. You find yourself randomly crying from just looking at a picture of the two of you together.
29. You find yourself randomly crying and you sometimes have no idea why.
30. You stay on the internet for hours searching for anything and everything about the military.
31. You talk to your friends about him so much that they know his full name, birthday and even his favorite color.
32. You find yourself speaking in acronyms (that no one other than you and he would understand).
32. You are reading this and smiling and nodding because you know it's so true
2. You can watch whatever you want on TV without arguing with him first
3. You get up in the middle of the night to check your e-mail.
4. You sleep with your cell phone incase he calls in the middle of the night.
5. You love watching cute love movies because it reminds you of all the cute things he does when he's home.
6. You haven't shaved your legs in weeks.
7. The mailman knows you because you are always out waiting for him to come.
8. You start paying close attention in class when the words "military" or "iraq" are mentioned.
9. You suddenly have an obsession with anything military related.
10. You see someone wearing an usaf, army, navy, or usmc shirt and you get this overwhelming urge to talk to them.
11. You make friends with strangers online just because they are in the same situation as you and are the only ones that can truly understand what you are going through.
12. You can't decide what to wear when you meet him at the airport because his flight comes in at a ridiculous hour in the morning and you want to look cute, but not too cute, because your cutest outfit you want to save for your first full day together.
13. Your first Christmas together is... apart.
14. You find yourself checking your e-mail every fifteen minutes.
15. You know all the time differences between where you are and Iraq, Ireland, Kuwait, Italy, Germany, Korea, and every state in the U.S.
16. The highlight of your day is getting a letter that was mailed a month ago.
17. And if you don't get a letter, the highlight of your day is writing him a letter that you know he will be able to read in a month.
18. You realize that HOMECOMING is so much more than a football game.
19. You want to hit any happy couple you see together
20. You get excited about "unknown" phone numbers calling you.
21. You've exhausted every idea a brain could have of what to put in a box.
22. You see a "support our troops" sticker on a car when you are stuck in traffic and you find yourself guessing about who they know that is deployed and thinking about their entire life story.
23. When the clock says 11:11, you find yourself wishing for the same thing every time: a call from your soldier.
24. You get excited when its only 5 months until you see your Soldier instead of 7!
25. You can't stand girls that talk about missing their boyfriends who live a few hours away. You just want to yell "drive and go see them them" because if you had the chance, you would jump on the first plane to go see your soldier no matter how far it is.
26. You don't know what teams are on top for football, basketball, etc.
27. You wouldn't dream of walking out of the house without the cell phone and every number you have is forwarded to that cell.
28. You find yourself randomly crying from just looking at a picture of the two of you together.
29. You find yourself randomly crying and you sometimes have no idea why.
30. You stay on the internet for hours searching for anything and everything about the military.
31. You talk to your friends about him so much that they know his full name, birthday and even his favorite color.
32. You find yourself speaking in acronyms (that no one other than you and he would understand).
32. You are reading this and smiling and nodding because you know it's so true
Dear Civilian Girl
You complain that your boyfriend has worked late all week and have barely seen him. I look forward to the two weeks a year we spend together.
You complain because he doesn't call you enough. My heart is thankful for the 15 second phone call I got last Tuesday in the middle of the night!
You whine to your friends about how much you miss him already because he is on a two day trip with his parents. I won't see him for another 10 months!
You don't feel like making love tonight because you are too tired. We will stay up all night because we don't know when it will be the last time.
Your boyfriend belongs to you. Mine belongs to the government.
It's just not practical for you to drive an hour to see him every weekend during school. He spends $700 dollars on a plane ticket just to see me 2 days!
You hate hanging up the phone when talking to him. My heart breaks because I won't talk to him for another 10 days.
You complain that he doesn't take enough time out of his life for you. My man has to get up in the middle of the night to talk with me because of the time difference. He doesn't complain.
Your man is in a bad mood from not sleeping much this week. My man ran 10 miles this morning at 4 in the morning and has a full day of work ahead of him. He's lucky if he gets a few hours of sleep!
Your boyfriend can call in sick when he is tired or not feeling well. My man works no matter what!
You don't trust him so you follow him places to see if he is telling the truth. I have no choice but to trust him and even then I trust him with my life.
You check your phone, see you missed a call from him, and decide to call him back when you aren't so busy. I see a missed a call and cry, because I don't know when he can call again.
You might save a cute voice message from him. I save them all b/c it helps me to remember what his voice sounds like.
Being apart for a month to you seems daunting. A month apart for me is a wish that can't come true.
You wouldn't change schools to be close to him. I have to move to another country to be with him.
You have every part of him memorized. I study pictures so I don't forget what he looks like.
You take your time together for granted. We don't!
Your cell phone bill was high this month from talking too much. He pays 20 cents a minute to call me… when he CAN call.
You say you miss him. Times that by 20.
You complain because he doesn't call you enough. My heart is thankful for the 15 second phone call I got last Tuesday in the middle of the night!
You whine to your friends about how much you miss him already because he is on a two day trip with his parents. I won't see him for another 10 months!
You don't feel like making love tonight because you are too tired. We will stay up all night because we don't know when it will be the last time.
Your boyfriend belongs to you. Mine belongs to the government.
It's just not practical for you to drive an hour to see him every weekend during school. He spends $700 dollars on a plane ticket just to see me 2 days!
You hate hanging up the phone when talking to him. My heart breaks because I won't talk to him for another 10 days.
You complain that he doesn't take enough time out of his life for you. My man has to get up in the middle of the night to talk with me because of the time difference. He doesn't complain.
Your man is in a bad mood from not sleeping much this week. My man ran 10 miles this morning at 4 in the morning and has a full day of work ahead of him. He's lucky if he gets a few hours of sleep!
Your boyfriend can call in sick when he is tired or not feeling well. My man works no matter what!
You don't trust him so you follow him places to see if he is telling the truth. I have no choice but to trust him and even then I trust him with my life.
You check your phone, see you missed a call from him, and decide to call him back when you aren't so busy. I see a missed a call and cry, because I don't know when he can call again.
You might save a cute voice message from him. I save them all b/c it helps me to remember what his voice sounds like.
Being apart for a month to you seems daunting. A month apart for me is a wish that can't come true.
You wouldn't change schools to be close to him. I have to move to another country to be with him.
You have every part of him memorized. I study pictures so I don't forget what he looks like.
You take your time together for granted. We don't!
Your cell phone bill was high this month from talking too much. He pays 20 cents a minute to call me… when he CAN call.
You say you miss him. Times that by 20.
Guidelines for a Military Significant Other
1. Dont count onanything! Hurry up and wait!
2. Don't listen to anyone on the outside. All you will get is negative remarks, which will make things harder for you to deal with.
3. When he becomes stubborn and a royal pain in the ass, just remind yourself that he's probably had a bad day, and being away from you is hard on him too. So just let him rant and dont take it personally.
4. When you're down,treat yourself.
5. Learn how to listen, if you don't know how! He will need you. You will be the one he comes to when he needs to bitch, but don't bitch back. That is what we are here for! This is a hard time for our men and they need us much more than they think they do.
6. Love your man, be truthful and reassure him, even if he's deployed, he'll have someone to come back to.
7. He will try to pull away at some point, whether directly telling you to move on and not wait for him or just becoming too distant. Its a way they try to deal with it, a defense mecanism. Stick with him because he really does want (and need) you there.
8. When he is away for a long time or even just a couple of hours away, write a lot of letters! Communication is key to a relationship.
9. Some of him friends will probable be morons. Expect this.
10. You aren't the only woman in his life. His mom misses and loves him too, so make sure she is updated on what is going on with him.
11. He needs to feel important so dont hold back on the compliments-remind him how proud you are of what he does.
12. Chances are they won't call when they say they will. That especially applies for deployed!
13. Don't buy that non-refundable airplane ticket too early.
14. When eating with them, you either finish your "chow" in 15 minutes or less or be stared at until you are finished
15. Never take 1 single Minute with them for granted. Live each day with them like it is the last one you'll have for a while because with the military, it just might be.
16. Take lots and lots of pcitures so you can remember what each other looks like.
17. Don't even TRY to compare your man to an ordinanry civilian men. You can no longer bitch about broken plans, that phone call you were suppose to get but didn't, missed birthdays and anniversaries, his snoring (hey, at least he's sleeping BESIDE you), spending more time with "the boys" than you, etc. etc.
18. Always look on the bright side of things. How many of your gal pals get to get theire 1st encounter, 1st date, 1st kiss from their man over and over again?
19. Gotta be able to keep up with your man. We give our men a wholenew meaning of PT, LOL.
20. Even if he says he will, he probably won't. Maybe really means probably not OR probaby not when he said he would. Example: "I might be able to call you tomorrow", but he can't find the time to until a week later. Or "I might be able to come home next month for a week". That might turn into 2 weeks.
21. Being a military girlfriend/wife/fiance/mother is a very tough job. You have to deal with stress more then the average civilian girl. Have hope.
22. We find ourselves using military lingo: "I'm going to get my room squared away", "Its time for chow", or using military time. If it hasn't happened don't worry it will.
23. Patience is the biggest key to making the relationship work. You have to wait a lot, but in the end, waiting is what makes it all worthwhile.
2. Don't listen to anyone on the outside. All you will get is negative remarks, which will make things harder for you to deal with.
3. When he becomes stubborn and a royal pain in the ass, just remind yourself that he's probably had a bad day, and being away from you is hard on him too. So just let him rant and dont take it personally.
4. When you're down,treat yourself.
5. Learn how to listen, if you don't know how! He will need you. You will be the one he comes to when he needs to bitch, but don't bitch back. That is what we are here for! This is a hard time for our men and they need us much more than they think they do.
6. Love your man, be truthful and reassure him, even if he's deployed, he'll have someone to come back to.
7. He will try to pull away at some point, whether directly telling you to move on and not wait for him or just becoming too distant. Its a way they try to deal with it, a defense mecanism. Stick with him because he really does want (and need) you there.
8. When he is away for a long time or even just a couple of hours away, write a lot of letters! Communication is key to a relationship.
9. Some of him friends will probable be morons. Expect this.
10. You aren't the only woman in his life. His mom misses and loves him too, so make sure she is updated on what is going on with him.
11. He needs to feel important so dont hold back on the compliments-remind him how proud you are of what he does.
12. Chances are they won't call when they say they will. That especially applies for deployed!
13. Don't buy that non-refundable airplane ticket too early.
14. When eating with them, you either finish your "chow" in 15 minutes or less or be stared at until you are finished
15. Never take 1 single Minute with them for granted. Live each day with them like it is the last one you'll have for a while because with the military, it just might be.
16. Take lots and lots of pcitures so you can remember what each other looks like.
17. Don't even TRY to compare your man to an ordinanry civilian men. You can no longer bitch about broken plans, that phone call you were suppose to get but didn't, missed birthdays and anniversaries, his snoring (hey, at least he's sleeping BESIDE you), spending more time with "the boys" than you, etc. etc.
18. Always look on the bright side of things. How many of your gal pals get to get theire 1st encounter, 1st date, 1st kiss from their man over and over again?
19. Gotta be able to keep up with your man. We give our men a wholenew meaning of PT, LOL.
20. Even if he says he will, he probably won't. Maybe really means probably not OR probaby not when he said he would. Example: "I might be able to call you tomorrow", but he can't find the time to until a week later. Or "I might be able to come home next month for a week". That might turn into 2 weeks.
21. Being a military girlfriend/wife/fiance/mother is a very tough job. You have to deal with stress more then the average civilian girl. Have hope.
22. We find ourselves using military lingo: "I'm going to get my room squared away", "Its time for chow", or using military time. If it hasn't happened don't worry it will.
23. Patience is the biggest key to making the relationship work. You have to wait a lot, but in the end, waiting is what makes it all worthwhile.
How to Identify a Military Significant Other - 1
The average age of the military wife/girlfriend is 20 years old.
She isn't old enough to buy a beer, but is old enough to manage the entire household.
She probably never saw herself loving a man who was in the military, but she loves him regardless.
She cries alot, because she misses the man she swore to love. Her life isn't complete without him.
She looks very tired, because of her many sleepless nights either waiting for a call that never came or one that did and just because she heard his voice, she is too overjoyed to sleep.
She manages a smile, even though inside she's crying.
She understands that the man she loves has to go far away.
She understands that he can be taken from her in a moments notice.
She feels a great sense of pride and probably cries whenever she hears the National Anthem, sees a flag blowing in the breeze, or watches the news
She goes weeks without a call or a letter, but she writes him whenever she gets a free moment.
She knows how to convert civilian time into military time.
Before he left she used to complain if she didn't see him for a day or two, but now she gets annoyed when she hears someone complaining about not seeing their boyfriends.
She may not have seen him for months but she remembers everything about him, every scar he has, the way he smells, the sound of him sleeping.
She has every picture of him and them out and in frames; she stares at them for hours on end and has read every letter he's written at least 40 times.
Even though her man is a half a world away, she manages to go on with her life, as he would want her to.
She's the one who's half frowning half smiling; she has at least one Support out Troops displayed on her car.
She owns at least one article of clothing that says our man's Military Branch on it and wear it at least once a week
She knows what the terms Rack, Field Day and PT mean and have no trouble using them on a daily basis
She knows the difference between a Recruit, Enlisted, Officer and know the rank structure like the back of our hand
She watches the news and cries for fallen Marines, Soldiers, Airmen and Sailors and no one seems to understand why
She just cries.... and cries... and cries… and cries for no reason at all and she's is fine with that!! (It's normal isn't it?)
She have at least one (but probably more) family member or friend that doesn't approve or understand their long distance relationship
At the ages 17, 18, 19, 20, 21; we have no problem saying YES to a marriage proposal
She smiles when she sees a soldier in public dressed in his uniform
She gets a little teary eyed when the Star Spangled Banner is sung at sporting events and watching the flag blow in the wind..
Next time you see her thank her for what her and the man she loves is doing. She will greatly appreciate it and she will smile the rest of the day!
She isn't old enough to buy a beer, but is old enough to manage the entire household.
She probably never saw herself loving a man who was in the military, but she loves him regardless.
She cries alot, because she misses the man she swore to love. Her life isn't complete without him.
She looks very tired, because of her many sleepless nights either waiting for a call that never came or one that did and just because she heard his voice, she is too overjoyed to sleep.
She manages a smile, even though inside she's crying.
She understands that the man she loves has to go far away.
She understands that he can be taken from her in a moments notice.
She feels a great sense of pride and probably cries whenever she hears the National Anthem, sees a flag blowing in the breeze, or watches the news
She goes weeks without a call or a letter, but she writes him whenever she gets a free moment.
She knows how to convert civilian time into military time.
Before he left she used to complain if she didn't see him for a day or two, but now she gets annoyed when she hears someone complaining about not seeing their boyfriends.
She may not have seen him for months but she remembers everything about him, every scar he has, the way he smells, the sound of him sleeping.
She has every picture of him and them out and in frames; she stares at them for hours on end and has read every letter he's written at least 40 times.
Even though her man is a half a world away, she manages to go on with her life, as he would want her to.
She's the one who's half frowning half smiling; she has at least one Support out Troops displayed on her car.
She owns at least one article of clothing that says our man's Military Branch on it and wear it at least once a week
She knows what the terms Rack, Field Day and PT mean and have no trouble using them on a daily basis
She knows the difference between a Recruit, Enlisted, Officer and know the rank structure like the back of our hand
She watches the news and cries for fallen Marines, Soldiers, Airmen and Sailors and no one seems to understand why
She just cries.... and cries... and cries… and cries for no reason at all and she's is fine with that!! (It's normal isn't it?)
She have at least one (but probably more) family member or friend that doesn't approve or understand their long distance relationship
At the ages 17, 18, 19, 20, 21; we have no problem saying YES to a marriage proposal
She smiles when she sees a soldier in public dressed in his uniform
She gets a little teary eyed when the Star Spangled Banner is sung at sporting events and watching the flag blow in the wind..
Next time you see her thank her for what her and the man she loves is doing. She will greatly appreciate it and she will smile the rest of the day!
Tuesday, December 1
'Twas the Night Before Christmas - Military Style
'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 did I see,
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the 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 house of a soldier, once I could see clearly.
The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone,
curled upon 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 just read?
Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?
I realized the families I saw on 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 started 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.
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!
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 did I see,
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the 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 house of a soldier, once I could see clearly.
The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone,
curled upon 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 just read?
Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?
I realized the families I saw on 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 started 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.
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!
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