With Thanksgiving behind us, the Christmas season has officially started. I’ve spent the past few days chasing burnt out lights before stringing them around the house, pulling boxes from the attic, humming carols, and sipping egg nog. To kick off the season properly, I thought to again share a poem with you that I post each year only with a twist this time. I should point out that the original poem, entitled Merry Christmas My Friend, written by Corporal James M. Schmidt USMC in 1987, has evolved some over the years. Black5 has the details. Nevertheless, WLIT has put the wonderful words to music and I’ve added some pictures, so in the spirit of the season and in keeping with the theme of this weblog- your Soldiers, Hook Productions proudly presents, The Soldier’s Silent Night…

The Soldier’s Silent Night on Vimeo

Merry Christmas my friend, may God bless you this night. Sgt Hook out.

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Posted by Hook @ 0007 zulu | | Permalink
This post is filed under: Heroes & The Soldier

What about the wifes poem? I work for families of deployed soldiers, so I would like to see this one go around the net a few times too..

A Wife’s Christmas

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, especially not a mouse.

She kept a tight shift, all chores would be done,
No rodents would be in this house trying to have fun.

She finally got the children to settle down and stay in their beds,
Now she runs through the list of things to do, kept in her head.

She had bought all the presents wrapped them up too,
Balanced the budget, shopped for the food.

She mailed all the cards to family and friends,
Sent a Christmas care package special for him.

She’s been busy of late, checking chores off her list,
Christmas must go on for her two little kids.
School recitals, and plays and church functions too,
Without him she never thought, these were all things she could do.

For a moment she almost nods off,
Sleep lately has been tough.
She remembers a few more details,
The list grows, time is never enough.

She completes her listed chores,
Taskers, As he would say.
And heads off to bed,
Prepped for another Christmas Day.

Now the children wake up, and rush down the stairs,
Mom is already awake, sitting, waiting in his chair.
Kids are excited, there are many presents for them,
Their minds filled with toys, they briefly forget him.

She calms the children down, there is something to be done,
Before they tear into their presents, and begin all the fun.
Lets bow our heads and together we’ll pray,
For your daddy who cant be here, with us today.

A little girls voice asks “Mommy where is he again?”
“Is he still out fighting, all those bad men?”
Yes my dear, he’s still standing his post,
Maybe next Christmas though, he’ll get to stay home.

One by one they open presents,
With new toys they begin to play.
She takes a sip of her coffee and watches,
Although with her children, another lonely Christmas Day.

At the end of the day, it was mission success,
She gave it her all and she had done her best.
The kids now tired and ready for bed,
She tucks them in gently and gives a kiss on the head.

While this story may sound sad,
They share a common thread.
There are many strong wives out there,
Having yet another Christmas, without their men.

Comment by Amanda — 27 November 2006 @ 1817

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Well done. I like the Paratrooper Santa. Airborne!

Comment by DD Rees — 27 November 2006 @ 2350

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Always brings a tear to my eye, especially so with your addition of pictures. I hope there was a little something in the egg nog to sustain you with all that work.

Thanks Amanda, for sharing the Wife’s Christmas poem as well.

Comment by Gypsy — 28 November 2006 @ 0115

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Beautifully done, as always. Thank you.

Comment by SK — 28 November 2006 @ 0151

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Sgt. Hook,

I am a middle school band director in Alabama and my band will be playing “Soldiers Silent Night” on our Christmas concert.

I have been looking for a video to play along with the band and yours is the best.

Would you allow my band to use your tribute during our concert. I would need the presentation on a disk so I could load it on my computer.

You will recieve full credit for the presentation.

Thanks for any help you may give.

Elliott Bennett
Army Vet: 1981-91

Comment by Elliott Bennett — 4 September 2007 @ 0009

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Pretty Good keep it up!

Comment by From the Sand Box — 14 December 2007 @ 0020

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