A must read The Soldier

>From: "Eva Behnke" 
>Subject: The Night Before Christmas (this one is not a joke)
>Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2008 05:07:47 -0500
>
>The Night Before Christmas
>
>T'was 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.
>
>I looked all about,
>A strange sight I did see,
>No tinsel, no presents,
>Not even a tree.
>
>No stocking by the mantle,
>Just boots filled with sand,
>On the wall hung pictures,
>Of far distant lands.
>
>With medals and badges,
>Awards of all kinds,
>A sober thought,
>Came through my mind.
>
>For this house was different,
>It was dark and dreary,
>I found the home of a soldier,
>Once I could see clearly.
>
>The soldier lay sleeping,
>Silent, alone,
>Curled up on the floor,
>In this one bedroom home.
>
>The face was so gentle,
>The room in such disorder,
>Not how I pictured,
>A Canadian soldier.
>
>
>Was this the hero,
>Of whom I'd just read?,
>Curled up on a poncho,
>The floor for a bed?
>
>
>I realized the families,
>That I saw this night,
>Owed their lives to these soldiers,
>Who were willing to fight.
>
>
>Soon round the world,
>The children would play,
>And grownups would celebrate,
>A bright Christmas Day.
>
>
>They all enjoyed freedom,
>Each month of the year,
>Because of the soldiers,
>Like the one lying here.
>
>
>I couldn't help wonder,
>How many lay alone,
>On a cold Christmas Eve,
>In a land far from home.
>
>
>The very thought brought
>A tear to my eye,
>I dropped to my knees,
>And started to cry.
>
>The soldier awakened,
>And 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.'
>
>The soldier rolled over,
>And drifted to sleep,
>I couldn't control it,
>I continued to weep.
>
>I kept watch for hours,
>So silent and still,
>And we both shivered,
>From the cold night's chill.
>
>I didn't want to leave,
>On that cold, dark night,
>This guardian of honor,
>So willing to fight.
>
>Then the soldier rolled over,
>With a voice, soft and pure,
>Whispered, 'Carry on Santa,
>It's Christmas Day, all is secure.'
>
>One look at my watch,
>And I knew he was right,
>'Merry Christmas my friend,
>And to all a good night.'
>
>This poem was written by a peace keeping soldier stationed overseas.
>
>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? 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.
>
>