T'was 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 house did live.

As I looked all about, a strange sight did I see,
No tinsel, No presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand,
On a wall hung pictures of a far distant land.

With medals and badges, awards of all kinds,
A sobering thought soon came to my mind.
For this house was different, unlike any I'd seen,
This was the home of a U. S. MARINE.

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

He seemed so gentle, his face so serene,
Not at all how I'd pictured A U. S. MARINE.
Was this the hero of whom I'd just read,
Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?

His head was clean shaven, his weathered face tan,
and I soon understood, this was more than a man.
For I realized the families I'd seen tonight,
Owed there lives to these men who were willing to fight.

Soon around the nation the children would play,
And grown ups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month and all year,
Because of Marines like this one lying here.

I couldn't help but wonder, how many lay alone,
On a cold Christmas eve, in a land far from home.
Just the thought brought a prideful tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and I started to cry.

He must have awakened, for 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."

With that he rolled over, and drifted off to sleep,
I couldn't control it and continued to weep.
I watched him for hours, so silent and still,
I noticed he shivered from the cold night's chill.

I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
I covered this Marine from his toes to his head.
Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold,
with eagle globe and anchor emblazoned so bold.

Though it barely fit me, I swelled with pride,
For one shining moment, I was Marine Corps deep iinside.
I didn't want to leave him, so quiet in the night,
This guardian of honor, so willing to fight.

But half asleep he rolled over and in a voice so clean and pure,
Said "Carry on Santa, It's Christmas day and the country's secure."
One look at my watch and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas, my friend, Semper Fi and Good Night.