Marine poem

The following poem was written by a marine. This is his request and I think that it is reasonable.
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 being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe to them. Make people stop and think of our heros, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us. Please, do your small part to plant this small seed.
THANK YOU

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 stockings by mantle,
Just boots filled with sand.
On the wall hung pictures
Of far distant lands.

With medals and badges,
Awards of all kinds,
A somber thought
Came through my mind.

For this house was different,
It was dark and dreary.
I found the home of a soldier,
Once I could see clearly.

A soldier lay sleeping,
Silent, alone.
Curled up on the floor
In this one bedroom home.

The face was so gentle,
The room in such disorder,
Not how I had pictured
A U.S. soldier.

Was this the hero
Of whom I'd just read?
Curled up on a poncho,
The floor for a bed.

I realized the families
That I saw that night,
Owed their lives to the soldiers
Who were willing to fight.

Soon round the world
The children would play,
And grownups would celebrate
A bright Christmas Day.

They all enjoyed freedom
Each month of the year,
Because of the soldiers
Like the one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder
How many lay alone
On a cold Christmas Eve
In a land far from home.

The very thought
Brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees
And started to cry.

The soldier awakened
And 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.

The soldier rolled over
And drifted to sleep.
I couldn't control it,
I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours
So silent and still,
And we both shivered
From the cold night's chill.

I didn't want to leave
On that cold, dark night,
This guardian of honor,
So willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over,
With a vioce soft and pure,
Whispered "Carry on Santa
It's Christmas Day. All is secure".

One look at my watch
And I knew he was right.
"Merry Christmas, my friend
And to all a good night".