Peace Keepers Poem

'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.

I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.

No stocking by 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, an Australian Soldier.

Was this the hero, of whom I'd just read?
Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?

I realised 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 honour, 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."

Good on you oceans.
I went to the dawn memorial service this year, it was really good.


"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."
John 15:13

Amadd wrote on Apr 25^th, 2009 at 1:30pm:


Well when you get your nails and hair done next week, you can tell it to your besties then ok?

So what do you think of Anzac Day amadd.?

Quote:


I think it's meaningless these days.
Of course I have the utmost respect for those who fought for a short-lived freedom, but today the values that were fought for are pretty much non-existent.
The couch potatoes of the past few generations have sat back thinking that the war was already won. Now it's lost.

I would happily fight for the values that those soldiers fought for, but for the factory called Australia, I wouldn't lift a finger.

I have to admit to having mixed feelings about Anzac Day, having read about the mismanagement of the British Generals, and the unmitigated  disaster of a campaign that it was, and the unnecessary loss of life, and appalling suffering on both sides, it always seemed a strange choice as a symbol to remember our soldiers.

The thing that we do celebrate is the sacrifice that these men were prepared to make, for their mates, and their country, and how even in the face of death, they kept their sense of humour, and we saw the cheeky, independent, irreverent, and laconic persona, of the aussie digger born.

It was this persona that we were able to identify with, and which along with their courage, and honour, became the significant characteristic that maintained itself through subsequent conflicts, and gained the respect of all soldiers of the world, who fought alongside, or against these brave aussie heroes, and for that aspect alone, Anzac Day is a day worth commemorating.

We certainly have seen far greater battles, and definitely far more successful ones, most notably the heroic defense of the Kokoda Trail, but the Aussie spirit was forged in the heat of battle at Gallipoli, and we all owe them a debt for that, which we will never forget.

DILLIGAF wrote on Apr 25^th, 2009 at 4:34pm:


Keep your racism out of this day, of all days.
.

DILLIGAF wrote on Apr 25^th, 2009 at 6:17pm:


True, they are here, as our Guests, not our Conquerors.

Big difference I trust you will agree.

I agree Blasko, aussie soldiers were renowned for their generousity of spirit, and in WW2, stuck up for black american soldiers, against the racism displayed towards them by white GI's, so to even contemplate for an instant, that they fought to uphold racism, is totally unsupported by the facts.

The point that Aussie made about asians being in our country as welcomed visitors, not conquering masters, is also a significant point which you should recognise.

The fair go, for all, has always been an intrinsic part of the aussie, diggers spirit, and no amount of trying to fantasise differently, will change that fact.