'Twas 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 home did live.
 
I looked all about,
A strange sight I did see,
No tinsel, no presents,
Not even a tree.
 
No stocking by the fire,
Just boots filled with sand,
On the wall hung pictures
Of a far distant land.

With medals and badges,
Awards of all kind,
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
In his one-bedroom home.
 
He seemed so gentle,
His face so serene,
Not how I 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.
I soon understood
This was more than a man.
  
For I realized the families
That I saw that night
Owed their lives to these men,
Who were willing to fight.

Soon around the Nation
The children would play,
And grown-ups would celebrate
On 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 wonder
How many lay alone,
On a cold Christmas Eve,
In a land far from home.
 
Just the very thought
Brought a tear to my eye.
I dropped to my knees
And I started to cry.

He must have awoken,
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,
Drifted off into sleep.
I couldn't control it,
I continued to weep.
 
I watched him for hours,
So silent and still,
I noticed he shivered
From the cold night's chill.

So I took off my jacket,
The one made of red,
And covered this Marine,
From his toes to his head.
 
Then I put on his T-shirt
Of scarlet and gold,
With an eagle, globe and anchor
Emblazoned so bold.

And although it barely fit me, 
I began to swell with pride, 
And for one shining moment,
I was Marine Corps deep inside.
 
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 clean and pure,
Said, "Carry on, Santa,
It's Christmas Day. All secure."

One look at my watch
And I knew he was right.
Merry Christmas, my friend,
Semper Fi and goodnight.