Merry Christmas, My Friend

The following poem was written by James M. Schmidt. Corporal Schmidt has advised that the true story is that while a Lance Corporal serving as Battalion Counter Sniper at the Marine Barracks 8th and I, Washington, DC, under Commandant P.X. Kelly and Battalion Commander D.J. Myers, he wrote this poem to hang on the door of the Gym in the BEQ. When Colonel Myers came upon it, he read it and immediately had copies sent to each department at the Barracks and promptly dismissed the entire Battalion early for Christmas leave. The poem was placed that day in the Marine Corps Gazette, distributed worldwide and later submitted to Leatherneck Magazine.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, MY FRIEND '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. As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see, no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree. No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand. On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land. With medals and badges, awards of all kind, a sobering thought soon came to my mind. For this house was different, unlike any I'd seen. This was the home of a U.S. Marine. I'd heard stories about them, I had to see more, so I walked down the hall and pushed open the door. And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone, Curled up on the floor in his one-bedroom home. He seemed so gentle, his face so serene, Not how I pictured a U.S. Marine. Was this the hero, of whom I'd just read? Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed? His head was clean-shaven, his weathered face tan. I soon understood, this was more than a man. For I realized the families that I saw that night, owed their lives to these men, who were willing to fight. Soon around the Nation, the children would play, And grown-ups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day. They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year, because of Marines like this one lying here. I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone, on a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home. Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye. I dropped to my knees and I started to cry. He must have awoken, for 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." With that he rolled over, drifted off into sleep, I couldn't control it, I continued to weep. I watched him for hours, so silent and still. I noticed he shivered from the cold night's chill. So I took off my jacket, the one made of red, and covered this Marine from his toes to his head. Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold, with an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold. And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride, and for one shining moment, I was Marine Corps deep inside. I didn't want to leave him so quiet in the night, this guardian of honor so willing to fight. But half asleep he rolled over, and in a voice clean and pure, said "Carry on, Santa, it's Christmas Day, all secure." One look at my watch and I knew he was right, Merry Christmas my friend, Semper Fi and goodnight.

Hattip: Blackfive

Saddam Agrees With Dems

Looks like Saddam agrees with many liberals.

Will This Be a Headline?

What are the chances we will see this headline in the NYT? "An Iraqi division, two brigade staffs and six infantry battalions certified as combat ready." Don't hold your breath.

Mexico-U.S. Wall

What an interesting quote from the Mexican foreign secretary concerning the plans to add 700 miles of walls to the U.S.- Mexico boarder:

"Mexico is not going to bear, it is not going to permit, and it will not allow a stupid thing like this wall," said Luis Ernesto Derbez, Mexican foreign secretary.

As if Mexico has a say in the matter. Do you think this would have passed Kerry's "Global Test"?

Just Because ...

The Mudville Gazette Blog has a great e-mail from the father of fallen soldier Sgt. Mike Stokley. Will Maureen Dowd give Mike's father the same "complete moral authority" as she gave Mother Sheehan?

WSJ says Thanks

The Wall Street Journal's editorial says, "Thank you" to the NSA and Bush administration for wiretapping.

U.S. Wiretapping

Have you made a call to Iraq lately? Have you received one? The MSM has been up in arms over the leak about wiretapping. And their editorial board here. They seem to have forgotten the major news concerning Iraq. Does wiretapping of U.S. citizens save lives? Probably not today, but it could in the future. If Al-Qaeda called the someone in the U.S. would you wouldn't you want some agency to listen in? What if he was calling a natural born citizen, should it matter? What if the Marines found a laptop that had 100 U.S. citizens names. Would you hope that if they receive or make a call to Iraq (or the Mideast) that this call would be monitored? I think wiretapping is a necessary step to protecting patriotic U.S. citizens from terrorist citizens.

Blog Break

I haven't posted anything in quite a while mostly due to being busy at work. I'm going to try to start posting more regularly, we'll see if it actually happens.