The Jump Before Christmas

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The Jump Before Christmas
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Background and Context

• I had no Christmas spirit when I breathed a weary
  sigh, And looked across the table where the
  bills were piled too high. The laundry wasn't
  finished and the car I had to fix, My stocks
  were down another point, the Jets had lost by
  six.And so with only minutes till my son got
  home from schoolI gave up on the drudgery and
  grabbed a wooden stool. The burdens that I
  carried were about all I could take, And so I
  flipped the TV on to catch a little break.I
  came upon a desert scene in shades of tan and
  rust, No snowflakes hung upon the wind, just
  clouds of swirling dust. And where the reindeer
  should have stood before a laden sleigh, Eight
  Hummers ran a column right behind an M1A.A
  group of boys walked past the tank, not one was
  past his teens. Their eyes were hard as polished
  flint, their faces drawn and lean. They walked
  the street in armor with their rifles shouldered
  tight, Their dearest wish for Christmas, just to
  have a silent night.Other soldiers gathered,
  hunkered down against the wind,To share a scrap
  of mail and dreams of going home again.There
  wasn't much at all to put their lonely hearts at
  ease,They had no Christmas turkey, just a pack
  of MREs.
• They didn't have a garland or a stocking I could
  see,They didn't need an ornament -- they lacked
  a Christmas Tree.They didn't have a present even
  though it was tradition,The only boxes I could
  see were labeled "ammunition."I felt a little
  tug and found my son now by my side,He asked me
  what it was I feared, and why it was I cried.I
  swept him up into my arms and held him oh so
  nearAnd kissed him on the forehead as I
  whispered in his ear.There's nothing wrong my
  little son, for safe we sleep tonight, Our
  heroes stand on foreign land to give us all the
  right, To worry on the things in life that mean
  nothing at all, Instead of wondering if we will
  be the one who's next to fall.
• He looked at me as children do and said its
  always right,To thank the ones who help us and
  perhaps that we should write. And so we pushed
  aside the bills and sat to draft a note, To
  thank the many far from home, and this is what we
  wroteGod bless you all and keep you safe, and
  speed your way back home. Remember that we love
  you so, and that you're not alone.The gift you
  give you share with all, a present every day,You
  give the gift of liberty and that we can't
  repay

• A Soldiers Christmas
• '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 little house lived. 
• As 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 sobering thought came through my mind. 
• For this house was different, it was dark and
  dreary,
• The home of a soldier, I could now see clearly. 
• The 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 picture a United States Soldier. 
• Was this the hero of whom I'd just read?

The very thought brought a tear to my eye,I
dropped to one knee and started to cry. They all
enjoyed freedom each month of the year,because
of the soldiers, like the one lying here.  I
couldn't help wondering 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 one knee and started to cry.  The soldier
awakened and I heard a rough voice,"Santa don't
cry, for 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,as 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 voice 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.
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The Jump Before Christmas
Twas the jump before Christmas And all through
the plane, The Jumpmasters crazy And the
Safetys insane. The static lines were hung On
the cables with care In hopes that a green
light Soon would be there. At the one minute
warning Not a word would be said, While
malfunctions and entanglements Danced through
their heads.
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With the door bundles riggedI hook up my
pack,Lets pull this jump offWithout a
racetrack!When out on the wingThere rose such
a clatter,I opened the door To see what was the
matter,And what to my night-visioned eyes
Should appear,But a towed parachutist And
eight reindeer.
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I leaned out the door And grabbed hold of his
sleigh,He gave a four thousand countWhen I cut
him away.He fell through the nightTill I saw
him no more,Then came back insideAnd yelled,
Stand in the door.Some jumpers were happy
And some full of fright,But when the green
light came onThey all jumped that night.
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On bundle, on jumpers, The jumpmaster exits the
door,One thousand, two thousand Three thousand,
four!With my body in the blastAnd my knees in
the breeze,St. Michael protect me,From all of
these trees!Dark skies full of chutesAnd
strong winds did blow,Then heard a faint distant
Laughter,From the DZSO.
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One riser slipHand over hand to my right,But my
hands were so cold I could not hold on
tight.Now lower your ruckAnd slip hard as you
can,Put your feet and knees togetherAnd get
ready to land.Ball of the feet, calf,
thigh,And push up muscle,Roll up your chuteAnd
move out with a hustle.
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To the chute turn-in point,The red light and a
vest,Be sure your name is scratchedFrom the
jump manifest.I saw the assembly pointA strobe
light so bright,I knew even new troopers,Would
find it that night.No matter where or whenBe
it Desert or Snow,The Airborne TroopersAre
ready to go.
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For it was that jolly towed parachutistHolding
that light,Saying happy jumping to allAnd to
all a good night.Have a Merry Airborne
Christmas!To all, a happy holiday greeting
I know, in my dreams.
Bill 2008
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P.S. Lest we forget.
those patriots who gave their lives that lesser
beings might be free to cry peace when there is
no peace.