LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN

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November 18, 2006

LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight. My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, My daughter beside me, angelic in rest. Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, Transforming the yard to a winter delight. The sparkling lights in the tree I believe, Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve. My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep, Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep. In perfect contentment, or so it would seem, So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near, But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear. Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow. My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear, And I crept to the door just to see who was near. Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night, A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old, Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold. Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled, Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child. "What are you doing?" I asked without fear, "Come in this moment, it's freezing out here! Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve, You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift, Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.. To the window that danced with a warm fire's light Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right, I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night." "It's my duty to stand at the front of the line, That separates you from the darkest of times. No one had to ask or beg or implore me, I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me. My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December," Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers." My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam', And now it is my turn and so, here I am. I've not seen my own son in more than a while, But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag, The red, white, and blue... an American flag. I can live through the cold and the being alone, Away from my family, my house and my home. I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet, I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat. I can carry the weight of killing another, Or lay down my life with my sister and brother.. Who stand at the front against any and all, To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright, Your family is waiting and I'll be all right." "But isn't there something I can do, at the least, "Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast? It seems all too little for all that you've done, For being away from your wife and your son." Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret, "Just tell us you love us, and never forget. To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone, To stand your own watch, no matter how long. For when we come home, either standing or dead, To know you remember we fought and we bled. Is payment enough, and with that we will trust, That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

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 U.S.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.

LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN
30th Naval Construction Regiment
OIC, Logistics Cell One
Al Taqqadum, Iraq.

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Comments

This poem was absolutely beautiful... May God Bless All Those Protecting Our Country.... I will always thank you and you will always be in my prayers...Annie Morell

Posted by: Anne Morell at November 20, 2006 7:13 PM

Beautiful Poem. Not only should everyone be thankful for our Military, I think of all the children
of those who are serving in the Armed Forces.
What a hardship they are enduring during this time. Keeping all in prayers. Bev

Posted by: Beverly Rosenberg at November 24, 2006 2:51 PM

this poem is absolutely beautiful and acopy should be sent to 1600 pennsylvania ave. written by arthur l. dalesandro usn. mcb. 40 atlantic seabee heavy equipment operator { davisville,r.i.}66 to70

Posted by: arthur dalesandro at November 24, 2006 8:56 PM

Jeff Giles has been incorectly cited as the author of "A Different Christmas Poem". The poem is actually entitled "A Soldier's Christmas" and was written by Michael Marks on December 7th, 2000. The works of Mr. Marks have been featured in the Washington Times, hang in the Titan Missile Museum, and are featured on the International War Veteran's Poetry Archive at http://www.iwvpa.net/marksm

I know, because I am Michael Marks. LCDR Giles simply forwarded my poem long ago and had his email signature appended at the bottom.

Warmest regards,

Michael Marks

Posted by: Mike Marks at December 10, 2006 12:19 AM

I received this wonderful poem with the incorrect person (Jeff Giles) listed as the author. I changed that before sending on to many friends. The real author deserves the credit to this beautiful tribute to our military personnel.

Posted by: Bettie K at November 27, 2007 6:55 AM

HOW INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL, SUCH HEARTS HAVE OUR SERVICE MEN....AND SUCH LONLINESS AND HEARTACHES YOU ALL ENDURE FOR US BACK HOME.

Posted by: jeannie mcguire at December 6, 2007 12:06 PM

To our soldiers,
I pray every day for your safety, for peace and for your return to our country!
I see you all embraced by God's invisible arms. I see you enjoying your family and friends again!
God protects you and bless you this Christmas and always!
Thanks for your wonderful and faithful service!
I love you all!
And God brings you home very, very soon!

Posted by: Lupita at December 2, 2008 1:06 PM

beautiful

Posted by: mindy1 at December 2, 2008 10:24 PM

Thanks to Michael Marks for writing it; thanks to LCDR Jeff Giles for forwarding; but most of all THANKS TO EVERY MAN AND WOMAN who protect me, my family and our beautiful country!

Posted by: Vicki at December 5, 2008 6:22 PM

wonderful and also kind of sad..thanks service people

Posted by: mindy abraham at December 8, 2008 6:29 AM

I am a veteran and a librarian. It is a wonderful tribute to our soldiers and if passed along should cite the true author. I can only hope that everyone who reads it makes some kind of donation to support the families of soldiers and the services they depend on, now and all year.... just as they serve all year. God Bless them and their families.

Posted by: M. Lou Nesson at December 13, 2008 8:07 AM

Thank you for serving our country, and doing so at a great sacrifice. I pray blessings to you and your platoon, family and loved ones.

Posted by: Kamey at December 14, 2008 2:07 AM

As others have said thank you for your service. There are many here at home who cherish what you do on a daily basis and pray for you every night.
This nation is nothing with out or service men and women. As has been quotes "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." I'm gald we as a nation triumph because we choose to act.

Posted by: Al Cartacki at December 19, 2008 5:29 PM

A thankful prayer for all serving:

May God bless you, be with you, touch you with his love while you are away and keep you safe from harm.

Posted by: Les at December 7, 2009 6:23 AM

God bless you all. The poem was so touching. My prayers are with all the troops.
THANK YOU!!!!
Joyce & Jim Hargrove

Posted by: Joyce Hargrove at December 9, 2009 10:00 PM

Jeff, Thank you very much. My Dad was a SeaBee in the Philippine Islands during World War II. I'm sure you are doing the same thing. My self, SFC Army Reserve (1971-1977). Take care buddy.
Rod

Posted by: Rod Van Hess at December 16, 2009 2:58 PM

I copied and sent Your Christmas Poem, to all the people in my contact list, which reminded me of the cost of freedom.
I will not forget the sacrifices made by those who face death , crippling or endless nightmares, for not only The United States but for the whole of all humanity.

This is the message sent with your poem:

For my friends and foes alike, let us remember who gives us our rights.

Feel Blessed for we truly are.

IROY,

BECK

(IROY... I Remain Obediently Yours)

Posted by: Don Beck at December 21, 2009 12:00 AM

I Did forward this before finding out about the true Writer.But Will say"Thank God for those men & women that stand for Me,and my family.I could never thank them enough for all they do.I hope this does go out every Christmas there are troops out at christmas.Or anytime.Rick.

Posted by: Rick Burkhart. at December 24, 2009 1:38 AM

It really doesn't matter the author or which generation of active military this poem is describing, What really matters is that it shows the untiring devotion of our nations military. The most revered voluntary military in the world. It is but choice that these men and women put them selves between us and those int his world who want to destroy our way of life. I spent 10 years defending this great country, my son has served 8 years doing the same. This poem pays homage to those who choose to defend those who choose not to defend this country. It really is quit sad that those who choose not to defend our country and our beliefs are the first to talk crap about our nations military. To all those in our military serving all over the world. I Thank each and everyone of you, I love each and everyone of you for the commitments you have made for our country. Kevin

Posted by: Kevin Holland at January 6, 2010 4:13 PM

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November 18, 2006