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  #1  
Old 07-12-03, 15:52
Alex Blair (RIP) Alex Blair (RIP) is offline
"Mr. Manual", sadly no longer with us
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Ottawa ,Canada
Posts: 2,916
Default A Soldiers request...

This is worth the space and will pass it on..
God bless our Canadian soldiers..

Christmas- Reminder
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> This is something that we should all think about at this time in our lives.
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> "It's Christmas day, all is secure."
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> T'was the night before Christmas,
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> He lived all alone,
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> In a one bedroom house,
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> Made of plaster and stone.
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> I had come down the chimney,
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> With presents to give,
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> And to see just who,
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> In this home did live.
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> I looked all about,
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> A strange sight I did see,
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> No tinsel, no presents,
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> Not even a tree.
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> No stocking by the mantle,
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> Just boots filled with sand,
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> On the wall hung pictures,
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> Of far distant lands.
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> With medals and badges,
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> Awards of all kinds,
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> A sober thought,
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> Came through my mind.
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> For this house was different,
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> It was dark and dreary,
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> I found the home of a soldier,
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> Once I could see clearly.
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> The soldier lay sleeping,
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> Silent, alone,
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> Curled up on the floor,
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> In this one bedroom home.
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> The face was so gentle,
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> The room in such disorder,
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> Not how I pictured,
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> A Canadian soldier.
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> Was this the hero,
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> Of whom I'd just read?,
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> Curled up on a poncho,
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> The floor for a bed?
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> I realized the families,
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> that I saw this night,
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> owed their lives o these soldiers,
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> who were willing to fight.
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> Soon round the world,
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> The children would play,
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> And grownups would celebrate,
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> A bright Christmas day.
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> They all enjoyed freedom,
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> Each month of the year,
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> Because of the soldiers,
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> Like the one lying here.
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> I couldn't help wonder,
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> How many lay alone,
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> On a cold Christmas Eve,
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> In a land far from home.
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> The very thought brought,
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> A tear to my eye,
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> I dropped to my knees,
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> And started to cry.
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> The soldier awakened,
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> And I heard a rough voice,
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> "Santa, don't cry,
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> This life is my choice.
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> I fight for freedom,
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> I don't ask for more,
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> My life is my god,
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> My country, my corps."
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> The soldier rolled over,
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> And drifted to sleep,
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> I couldn't control it,
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> I continued to weep.
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> I kept watch for hours,
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> So silent and still,
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> And we both shivered,
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> From the cold night's chill.
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> I didn't want to leave,
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> On that cold, dark night,
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> This guardian of honor,
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> So willing to fight.
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> Then the soldier rolled over,
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> With a voice, soft and pure,
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> Whispered, "carry on Santa,
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> It's Christmas day, all is secure."
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> One look at my watch,
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> And I knew he was right,
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> "Merry Christmas my friend,
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> And to all a good night."
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> A peace-keeping soldier stationed overseas wrote this poem.
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> The following is his request. I think it is reasonable. Please. Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can?
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> Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our Canadian service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us. Please, do your small part to plant this small seed.
>
__________________
Alex Blair
:remember :support :drunk:
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  #2  
Old 07-12-03, 19:08
Vets_Dottir
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Posts: n/a
Default

WOW Alex. Thank you. This one really made me cry.
And rejoice in a way ... I don't think I need to explain what I mean in here to all you guys.

I'd LOVE to wrap my arms around that soldier for writing and sharing what he wrote.

I'll certainly post it in my own little place online and send to friends ... share the wealth ... and the appreciation to the soldiers that make our lives, freedoms and pleasures possible.

I hope all these soldiers get their needs met on EVERY LEVEL when home too ... anything less is unacceptable. Our sacrificial lambs ... we owe them

Carman
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  #3  
Old 08-12-03, 05:40
Tony Smith's Avatar
Tony Smith Tony Smith is offline
No1, Mk 2** (I'm back!)
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Lithgow, NSW, Australia
Posts: 5,042
Default Origin of poem

It is indeed a great poem and reminds us of something we often take for granted. This poem was also sent to me in Dec 2000 by a mate who was serving on HMAS Manoora in the Solomon Islands over that christmas period. The poem was distributed amongst the ship's crew to pass on to their families with the story that the poem was originally written during the Korean war. Of interest, the soldier in that poem was given as an Australian, but the story didn't give the nationality of the original author. But that's irrelevant, really, as we should take time out to think of all servicemen who are serving overseas and are deprived of the company of their families during christmas. The terms "Armed Services" and "Servicemen" are dropping out of official useage in favour of "Armed Forces" and "Professional Soldier". We really do need to remember they are there because we asked them to be there and they are doing a service on our behalf.
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  #4  
Old 08-12-03, 05:57
Vets_Dottir
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
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Quote:
Originally posted by Tony Smith
........We really do need to remember they are there because we asked them to be there and they are doing a service on our behalf.
Exactly the point that always hits home with me and that I'd like others to "notice".
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