On Xmas eve in 1967 we fought a nightlong battle with a cadre of VC and NVA. It was a brutal fight. The next day after we cleared the battlefield of KIA and WIA. A few of us focused on what a horrible way it was to celebrate Christmas. We sat together and composed our own Christmas poem. This is the first time I have ever shared it in the fifty years since we wrote it. Here it is.
‘Twas the night before Christmas and all along the front
All the creatures were stirring alarming any grunt.
The stockings were soaked from the monsoon rains
While the danger faced tormented our brains.
Then with a flash the silence was broken,
And peace on earth became a token.
Red and green tracers were a common sight
They went back and forth all through the night.
The light of morn ended the fight,
And everyone had had a sleepless night.
The gift of sleep was a welcome relief,
While the casualty count made only grief.
The Chaplin visited the troops that day,
And he encouraged all of them to pray.
Peace through prayer he said could be,
But that was something we could not see.
We all longed for peace or just some relief,
But the possibility of that was not a belief.
The wounded had been tended and handled with care.
The killed in action were no longer there.
We were alive and not dead.
That thought that filled every head.
We mustered the courage for another day.
But the day went on in its monotonous way.
The feeling was we were there to stay.
There was no joy on that Christmas Day.
We were still to remain in harms way.
Still we managed a loud cheer of hooray.
The words Semper Fi rang in our ears.
It helped us suppress painful tears.
We saddled up with our heavy gear,
Regretting we were not moving to the rear.
No matter what happened we would dutifully serve.
There was no chance of us losing our nerve.
No Christmas cheer for any of us,
We saw no reason to make a fuss.
Off to the next fight was the way of life.
We felt out of place when there was no strife.
But through it all we confronted our fear
With the hope Saint Nick would soon appear.
Good wishes to all who fight through the night
And to all those who also never take flight.
Peace on earth, goodwill to men.
Until that happens we just ask when.
There was no twinkle in any grunt’s eye.
On Christmas Day warriors do die.
To save our spirit we uttered the cry
Merry Christmas to all and Semper Fi.
Merry Christmas. Happy Holiday to those who do not celebrate Christmas. Best wishes for a healthy and successful 2018. Keep in mind that the best gift you will ever receive is the love of those who love you.
‘Twas the night before Christmas and all along the front
All the creatures were stirring alarming any grunt.
The stockings were soaked from the monsoon rains
While the danger faced tormented our brains.
Then with a flash the silence was broken,
And peace on earth became a token.
Red and green tracers were a common sight
They went back and forth all through the night.
The light of morn ended the fight,
And everyone had had a sleepless night.
The gift of sleep was a welcome relief,
While the casualty count made only grief.
The Chaplin visited the troops that day,
And he encouraged all of them to pray.
Peace through prayer he said could be,
But that was something we could not see.
We all longed for peace or just some relief,
But the possibility of that was not a belief.
The wounded had been tended and handled with care.
The killed in action were no longer there.
We were alive and not dead.
That thought that filled every head.
We mustered the courage for another day.
But the day went on in its monotonous way.
The feeling was we were there to stay.
There was no joy on that Christmas Day.
We were still to remain in harms way.
Still we managed a loud cheer of hooray.
The words Semper Fi rang in our ears.
It helped us suppress painful tears.
We saddled up with our heavy gear,
Regretting we were not moving to the rear.
No matter what happened we would dutifully serve.
There was no chance of us losing our nerve.
No Christmas cheer for any of us,
We saw no reason to make a fuss.
Off to the next fight was the way of life.
We felt out of place when there was no strife.
But through it all we confronted our fear
With the hope Saint Nick would soon appear.
Good wishes to all who fight through the night
And to all those who also never take flight.
Peace on earth, goodwill to men.
Until that happens we just ask when.
There was no twinkle in any grunt’s eye.
On Christmas Day warriors do die.
To save our spirit we uttered the cry
Merry Christmas to all and Semper Fi.
Merry Christmas. Happy Holiday to those who do not celebrate Christmas. Best wishes for a healthy and successful 2018. Keep in mind that the best gift you will ever receive is the love of those who love you.
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