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A Soldiers Poem
It’s Christmas Day, All's Secure
By a peace keeping soldier based overseas.
With thanks to Chindit Mess, The Companions of the Services.
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 stockings by the mantle, just boots filled with sand,
On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands,
With medals and badges of all different kinds
A sober thought came through my mind.
For this house was different, it was dark and dreary,
I had 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 lone British soldier,
Was this the hero of whom I’d just read,
Curled up on a poncho the floor for a bed.
I realised that 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 grown ups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoy freedom each month of the year
Because of the soldiers like the one lying here
I couldn’t help wonder how many 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 knee 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 sat and shivered from the cold nights 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 soft voice 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 British peace keeping soldier serving overseas. Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our British Servicemen and Women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let’s try in this small way to pay back a tiny bit of what we owe!
RAFA
Ghurkha Trust
The British Gurkha Welfare Trust
Charity No. 1103668
All ex service society’s deserve our consideration but none more than this one. The Gurkha’s have been our most loyal friends for many years yet their pensioners get a only a fraction of the pension paid to our own men.
The Gurkha however have never asked for something for nothing.
Gurkha Highlander
The Gurkha Welfare Traust
New
Veterans Badge
The Veterans Agency have announced that the qualification date for this badge has now been extended out to 31st December 1969. This means that some Cold War Veterans like me as well as all National Servicemen will now qualify.
To obtain your badge phone 0800 1692277 having your service number and your National Insurance numbers handy.
The badge is free and is of a very high quality.
J. Killick
Sponsors
Companions
Any ex servicemen from whatever branch of HM armed forces who might like to know more please contact me:
Tel: 0191 4163172
E-mail: Jkillick2214@yahoo.co.uk
I will endeavour to give you additional information and will attempt to find out the contact for your nearest mess.
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