Christmas poems for our military (1)
“A Different Christmas Poem”
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn’t loud, and it wasn’t too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn’t quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, 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 the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

091202-N-5339S-693
GROTON, Conn. (Dec. 2, 2009) Santa Claus stands with Sailors aboard the Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Miami (SSN 755) during the submarineÕs return to Naval Submarine Base New London after an eight-month deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Electronics Technician John Sabados/Released)
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and 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, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!”
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire’s light
Then he sighed and he said “Its really all right,
I’m out here by choice. I’m here every Night.”
“It’s my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I’m proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at “Pearl on a day in December,”
Then he sighed, “That’s a Christmas ‘Gram always remembers.”
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of “Nam”,
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I’ve not seen my own son
In more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures;
He’s sure got 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,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.”
“So go back inside,” he said, “harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I’ll be all right.”
“But isn’t there something I can do, at the least,
“Give you money,” I asked, “or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you’ve done,
For being away from your wife and your son.”
Then his eye 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’re gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.”
LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN
30th Naval Construction Regiment
OIC, Logistics Cell One
Al Taqqadum, Iraq
CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE.
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Military Humor –

Easton, MD–Dec. 22, 2011–This is a Christmas display at the home of Tom and Alice Blair, which includes an F 104 jet, staff photo/Barbara Haddock Taylor} [Sun Photographer] #9306
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Farewell Salutes –
Arnold Arons – Vacaville, CA; US Navy, WWII / US Air Force, Korea & Vietnam, (Ret. 30 y.)
John Bayens – Louisville, KY; USMC, WWII, PTO, Pfc., Co B/1/6/2nd Marine Division, KIA (Tarawa)
Joseph Cuda – NE; US Army Air Corps, WWII
Glenn R, Goff III – Hardeesville, SC; US Army, Vietnam, specialist
Francis Jackson – Oak Mills, KS; USMC, WWII, PTO, Korea & Vietnam, MSgt. (Ret. 30 y.)
Richard Little – Mobile, AL; US Navy, WWII, USS Henry W. Tucker / US Air Force, Korea
Maurice Mounsdon (101) – Litchfield, ENG; RAF, WWII, Lt., pilot, 56th Squadron “The Few”
Michael Soares – New Bern, NC; US Army, WWII, ETO, 2nd Lt., tank commander / US Navy (Ret. 25 y.)
Gordon Whitlow – Sioux Falls, SD; Merchant Marines, WWII / US Air Force, Korea
John Voogt – Newport, RI; US Navy, WWII, Korea & Vietnam
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Posted on December 19, 2019, in Current News, Korean War, Vietnam, WWII and tagged Christmas, family history, History, Korea, Military, Military History, Navy, Poetry, veterans, WW2, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 189 Comments.
What a beautiful poem! Hope you had a great Christmas! Thanks for sharing!
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Yes, I did, Rose. And yourself?
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It was great! I got a lovely present from Matt – a dainty gold cross necklace with tiny diamonds and sapphire. He works at Zales, you know. I think he wanted to cheer me up. We stopped exchanging presents a while back. This is a big surprise!
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Yes, I agree, Matt did a great job for his mother! You must be very proud of him.
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Yes, I am. He’s a big help. Happy New Year, GP. Hope next year is better than 2021 and this virus will go away!
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That would be fantastic!
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Excellent poem, I had not read it before.
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Thank you for reading it.
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Wonderful poem! Thank you!
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I’m so glad you liked it as well!!
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Such a great poem, and wonderful reminder. Thank you!
Merry Christmas!
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I appreciate you taking the time to read it!
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No problem. It was very stirring!
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GP, a beautiful heart-warming poem. Thank you for posting it. My significant other is a Vietnam Vet. So, I understand the words well. Merry Christmas to you & yours. 🎄🎶🇺🇸 Christine
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I am so happy you liked it, Christine. (especially that you understand!)
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Love this. Thanks for sharing.
Merry Christmas! 🎄
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My pleasure. ENJOY!! 🎅
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A truly beautiful poem of service, GP. Thanks for sharing. Reminds me of my father in WWII, who wondered if my mother would recognize him as he left the war in the South Pacific. We owe so much to the generations of those who gladly serve their country.
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Yes we do and you have no idea how grateful I am to have found someone like yourself who is so dedicated to them all!! Thank you, Karen!!
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Thank you, GP. It will always be my pleasure to honor their service.
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That is an excellent Christmas poem and thank you for sharing it. .
How many Al Taqqadums have there been over the years, but there’s always been somebody there, fighting back the tide of repression and discrimination?
Have a good Christmas with you and yours, and I hope you get all the presents you asked Santa for.
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I so appreciate you reading the poem, John. (although I knew you would!). I hope the season has been going well for you and all you love!
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What a wonderful heartwarming collection! I enjoyed! 💕❤️
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There are so many, it’s hard to pick which ones to posts. Thank you for reading them.
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Heart touching ❤
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Thank you very much.
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Nice
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Thank you!
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That is a beautiful, moving poem, GP. Thanks for sharing it with your readers!
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There are many poems for them, especially this time of year, I just had to share some of them. There is always one or two that never read them before.
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What a wonderful tribute to all who serve! Thank you, GP.
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Thank you for coming by each one, Karen!
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A pleasure always, GP!
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Amazing my friend, a very merry Christmas to everyone.. goodman and take care.. 🎄🎄🎄👍🙏🙏🙏
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Thank you, have a great day!
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Merry Christmas!
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Thank you very much, Alexander!! I wish you and yours the same!!
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Excellent tribute gp, well worth the read and an honest view of those who protect our Country and Rights. Best wishes for Christmas and the new year mate.
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Same to you my friend. May you and your family enjoy the New Year as well.
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Reblogged this on History and Hobby and commented:
Some military poetry from one of my favorite blogs
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Thank you very much, Bruce! I hope you and yours enjoy the very best this coming year!!
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A moving post. Thanks for sharing it. Merry Christmas!
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My pleasure. I appreciate your visit. Merry Christmas!!
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Thanks so much for sharing this poignant poem, G.P. Reminds of of blessings for hearts and for homes. Wishing all those serving, their families and all. Thank you and Merry Christmas! ❤
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Love your comment, Bette, thank you!! Merry Christmas to you as well!!
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Merry Christmas to you and yours…
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And to you as well, June.
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Our dear friend GP Cox,
what a special Christmas poem! 🙂 and we like your Sailor Santa very much 🙂
We wish you and your family a wonderful Festive Season and a happy and healthy New Year. Thank you VERY much for all the infos you provide on your educating blog we always love to read. And thank you for visiting our blog regularly and writing such kind comments.
With love from the Norfolk coast
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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You and your family mean a great deal to me and may even the warm Christmas spirit of Florida reach each one of you.

Thank you for everything during the year!!
GP Cox
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Kudos to LCDR Giles for his moving poem with its important message for all of us.
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There are so many poems, I wish I could post them all. Thanks for dropping by, Liz!!
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Maybe for future posts?
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Perhaps sooner than you think.
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Oh, good!
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A perfectly-timed beautiful share! ❤️
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Thank you. There is so much more out there too!
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Hi GP,
Another terrific post!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Kevin
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To you and yours as well, Kevin.
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A deeply touching poem. ❤
Thank you so much for sharing it.
Merry Christmas!
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My pleasure! Merry Christmas to you and yours!!
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As always your blog is well worth reading. You do a great job and I am happy that I have been part of your readers for some time now. Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
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Oh the very same to you!! You’re right it has been many years for us now. Merry Christmas to you and yours as well!!
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Thank you so much for sharing this with your readers!
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