A Soldier's Christmas

Merry Christmas, My Friend
by Corporal James M. Schmidt, former U.S. Marine
First published in "Leatherneck Magazine", December 1991
copied from http://www.llerrah.com/soldierschristmas.htm


'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.

Celebrating a Birth

One month ago today I held my youngest child for the first time. I was so overcome with emotion that I couldn't speak a single word. My eyes filled with tears and the giant lump in my throat prevented me from speaking. Life is busy, stressful, hectic and exhausting, but when you hold a brand new baby, your baby, nothing else seems to matter. There is plenty of time later to worry about how you are going to provide for her and protect her and raise her the way you want her to be. In that one moment your life is filled with peace as you cradle this precious gift from God.

Three days from now we have the opportunity to celebrate the birth of another baby who came to bring Peace to the world. Amid all of the chaos that surrounds the holiday season, let's remember to take the time to pause and give thanks to God for the gift that he gave us in the form of his son Jesus.

10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
Luke 2: 10 - 14

Winter in Oklahoma

We woke up this morning to see a dusting of snow on the ground and snow still falling from the sky. Ryleigh was especially excited to see the snow so I decided that I would take the morning off from work to play with the kids in the snow. We fed the kids a nice warm breakfast and played inside for a few minutes to let the food settle. Then Andrea bundled the kids in their snow pants and boots, their warm coats, mittens and scarves. I climbed up into the attic to get the sled. By the time we made it outside to play, the snow had melted off of our driveway. Luckily a few of our neighbors still had enough snow in their driveways to provide a slick enough surface for the sled. It was pitiful amount of snow. There's usually more frost on the juice glasses at a Horst family big breakfast than was on our street, but we made the most of it. I pulled Ryleigh around for a while, and she made some marble-sized snow balls to throw at me. She eventually got bored and went inside to tend to her baby sister.

After we used up all of the snow on the driveways, I pulled Clark around our front yard. He's so cute. The whole time I was pulling him he was singing "Jingle Bells" over and over, especially the line "oh what fun it is to ride in a one Horst open sleigh!" I would pull him around to the top of the yard, then run down to the bottom. "Do it aden (again) daddy". Over and over singing and smiling a rosy-cheeked smile. When I was worn out I coaxed him inside by offering him hot chocolate.

It was a struggle getting Ryleigh to school, because she is ready to be on Christmas break. I didn't really want to go to work either, but I dropped her off on my way. Usually we have a short week leading up to Christmas, but because Christmas in on Sunday we have work all week. Man it is hard to stay focused. Christmas is for celebrating and fun and playing in the snow, not going to work. Sometimes it's hard to be a grown up.