Tuesday, December 23, 2008

THE GUARDIAN’S NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Twas the night before Christmas, living all alone,
In a one bedroom house made of plaster & stone.
I came 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 fire, just boots filled with sand,
On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.

With medals and badges, awards of all kind
A sober thought came through the back of my mind.
For this house was different, so simple and dreary,
I knew I had found the home of a Guardian, once I could see clearly.

I heard stories about them, I had to see more
So I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
And there on the floor sleeping silent alone,
Curled up on the floor in the one bedroom home.

The face was so gentle, the room in disarray,
Not how I pictured a Guardian would stay.
Was this the hero of whom I'd just read?
Curled up in the hoodie, a floor for the bed?

Proper haircut, in uniform I could see on in the space,
I soon understood this was the right place.
For I realized the families that I saw that night
Owed their lives to these Guardians who were willing to fight.

Soon `round the world, the children would play,
And grownups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
Because of sailors 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 started to cry.

The Guardian 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 values, they’re core."
With that my new shipmate rolled over and went back to sleep,
I couldn´t control it, I continued to weep.
I watched and watched for hours, so silent and still,
I noticed the shivering from the cold night´s chill.

So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
And I covered this shipmate from toes up to head.
And I put on the T-shirt of blue and of black,
With the words US COAST GUARD embroidered on back.

Well, it barely fit me but I swelled up with pride,
And for a shining moment, I was a Guardian deep, deep inside.
I didn’t want to leave on that cold dark night,
This member of the Coast Guard so willing to fight.

Then the Guardian rolled over, whispered with a voice so clean and pure,
"Carry on Santa, it's Christmas Day, all is secure."
One look at my watch, and I knew we were right,
Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night!

Deutschland wrote "Daddy's Christmas" (Soldier's Christmas)" as a Bonita, Montague County, Texas, high school exercise in 1937, this has been recreated by MK1 Sean Hagerty and CAPT Cari Thomas, USCG.

13 comments:

mariposa said...

I just wanted to wish V180 and their commanding officers a very very merry Christmas! and also to all the loved ones who are waiting and missing like I am happy holidays!

JGilbertFiance said...

I want to wish recruit company X 180 merry christmas. Its only been a week, so things are still rough here at home but we all miss you very much. Happy Holidays!!

Kelsey Lynn said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kelsey Lynn said...

I just want to wish recruit company X180 a Merry X-mas and a very Happy New Year! Miss you much RMS! Keep the positive attitude everyone!

Jane M said...

Happy Holidays to x-180! I would love to see some more photos if possible. CPB, we miss you and love you!

joe cool said...

Would love to get more info on U180. Not much detail shared in the journals. Would love to see some pictures, too.

KimiVern said...

What a beautiful Christmas poem - I have pasted it to a word document to send to my Coastie next year! How wonderful it was to speak with my SR on Christmas Day!!! Thank God for The American Red Cross and Operation Fireside! You go U-180!! Week 7! I too would like to see some photos! But we get to see the real thing NEXT WEEK!!! Happy new year to all our Coastie SR's, their families and the CC's!!!

Jane M said...

Happy to see a journal entry from X-180 at last! These last two weeks have seemed to last forever. Hang in there X-180, 6 Feb '06 is not as far off as it may seem. CPB, we miss and love you!

Jane M said...

Does anyone know if it's okay to print out journal entries from prior companies and mail them to my S.R.? I read all of Sierra 180's journals and found them extaordinarily inspirational.

KimiVern said...

To janem - We have sent journal postings from other companies to our SR as an inspiration and for encouragement. We think it really helped.

Also as a word of advice to everyone; you may want to refer to prior blogs about mentioning the name of your SR. See the blogs under November 2008 - "What Happens to Recruits During the Holidays" one blogger was very kind to share with us NOT to reference your recruit by name!

Happy New Year to ALL our Coastie families and companies!

Jane M said...

Thank you, ProudCoastieMomV...good info!

KimiVern said...

You are very welcome Jane M - I hope your SR is doing well and best of luck to you, your family & your SR!

The time really does fly by. I can't believe that we are already packing for graduation!

Anonymous said...

Wow, I am trying to figure out how you Mom's out there get through boot camp. I thought it would be hard on my son but I didn't know it would be this hard on his Mom! He just got there on the 6th and I am counting down the days until graduation so I can see him again. I just keep reminding myself that this has been his dream for years and it's not about Mom anymore. I am glad that I found this site, it's nice to read that I am not the only one missing my recruit.