Thread by @BusterUSMC

A Marine's Christmas Eve
1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 🎖️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 US Marine🇺🇸

I’d heard stories abt them, I had to see more,
so I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.

4. 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 one of the heroes, of whom I’d just read?
Curled up in a wrinkled up poncho, & a floor for his bed?

5. 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 throughout the night,
owe their very lives to these people, who are so freely willing to fight.

6. Soon around this Nation,
🎅🏽🎎the children would play,🧸🏎️
And grown-ups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.🎄

They all enjoy freedom, each month and all year,
because of
the many Marines like this one lying here.

7. I couldn’t help wonder how many more lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve, in many lands far from home.

🥺Just the very thought brought a tear to my eyes💧
and I fell to my knees ...
and I started to cry😢

8. 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.”
🦅🌏⚓️

9. 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.

10. 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 made in scarlet and gold,
with an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold.

11. And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
and for one shining moment, I was a Marine deep inside.

I didn’t want to leave him so quiet in the night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.

12. But half asleep he rolled over, and in a voice clean and pure, said
“Carry on, Mr. Santa, it’s Christmas, all secured.”

One look at my watch and I knew he was right,
🎄"Merry Christmas My Friend,
🙏🏽"Semper Fi!"🙏🏽
and
"Goodnight"

~End