The Soldiers' Night Before Christmas
by Trish Holland and Christine Ford
Twas the night before Christmas and all through the base
Only sentries were stirring - they guarded the place.
At the foot of each bunk sat a helmet and boot
For the Santa of Soldiers to fill up with loot.
The soldiers were sleeping and snoring away
As they dreamed of "back home" on good Christmas Day.
One snoozed with his rifle - he seemed so content.
I slept with the letters my family had sent.
When outside the tent there arose such a clatter.
I sprang from my rack to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Poked out my head, and yelled, "What was that crash?"
When what to my thrill and relief should appear;
But one of our Blackhawks to give the all cler.
More rattles and rumbles! I heard a deep wine!
Then up drove 8 Humvees, a jeep close behind.....
Each vehicle painted a bright Christmas green,
With more lights and gold tinsel than I'd ever seen.
The convoy commander leaped down and he paused.
I knew then and there it was Sergeant McClaus!
More rapid than rockets, his drivers they came
When he whistled, and shouted, and called
them by name:
"Now Cohen! Mendoza! Woslowski! McCord!
Now, Li! Watts! Donetti! and Specialist Ford!
Go fill up my seabags with gifts large and small!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away, All!"
In the blink of an eye, to their trucks the troops darted.
The engines did flutter, they sputtered, then started.
The armored moved out - it was "Duty or Bust."
McClaus disappeared in all of the dust!
As I drew in my head and was turning around.
Through the tent flap the sergeant came in with a bound.
He was dressed all in camo and looked quite a sight
With a Santa hat added for this special night.
His eyes - sharp as lasers! He stood six feet six.
His nose was quite crooked, his jaw hard as bricks!
A stub of cigar he held clamped in his teeth,
And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath.
A young driver walked in with a seabag in tow.
McClaus took the bag, told the driver to go.
Then the sarge went to work. And his mission today?
Bring Christmas from home to the troops far away!
Tasty gifts from old friends in the helmets he laid.
There were candies, and cookies, and cakes, all homemade.
Many parents sent phone cards so soldiers could hear
Treasured voices and laughter of those they held dear.
Loving husbands and wives had mailed photos galore
Of weddings and birthdays and first steps and more.
And for each soldiers boot, like a warm, happy hug,
There was art from the children at home sweet and snug.
As he finished the job - did I see a twinkle?
Was that a small smile or instead just a wrinkle?
To the top of his brow he raised up his hand
And gave a salute that made me feel grand.
I gasped in surprise when, his face all aglow,
He gave a huge grin and a big HO! HO! HO!
HO! HO! HO! from the barracks and then from the base.
HO! HO! HO! as the convoy sped up into space.
As the camp radar lost him, I heard this faint call:
"Happy Christmas Brave Soldiers! May Peace Come to ALL!"
