You Matter to Us

The following is an adaptation of a message from LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN, 30th Naval Construction Regiment, OIC, Logistics Cell One, Al Taqqadum, Iraq. As we Americans celebrate Christ’s birth, we must also remember and honor the men and women in uniform who defend their countrymen’s right to observe such celebrations.
— J. Reed)

The room was cozy, in dim firelight,
Gazing around, I cherished the sight.
My wife asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside snow fell, whispering white,
Creating for us a winter delight.

The tree so lovely, with warmth and light,
Enhancing the magic of Christmas Eve night.
At peace with all, my breathing is deep;
By love, surrounded, securely I sleep,
In joyful contentment, it would seem,
But, in my slumber I began to dream.

The sound was soft, not too near,
I opened my eyes and strained to hear.
Perhaps a cough…I didn’t quite know,
Or the crunch of boots out in the snow.
With quiet and caution I left the bedside,
Opened the door, and peered outside.

Out in the cold and dark of night,
A soldier I saw, his face ghost white.
A youth he was, twenty years old,
A Marine perhaps, braving the cold.
Alone, unafraid, he waved and smiled,
Protecting me and my wife and child.

“Bless you,” I said, with Christmas cheer,
“Come in our home…it’s cold out here!
Un-shoulder your pack — it’s just not right
To be so alone this cold winter night!”

For a moment’s flicker, his eyes did shift,
Away from the freezing snow-blown drift…
To windows where danced warm firelight.
Then bravely he said, “I’ll be all right,
I am here by choice — every night.
“It’s my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.

“No one must ask, beg, or implore,
Proudly I stand like my fathers before.
At Pearl, Gramps died one December day…
A Christmas my Gram remembers always.
Dad stood watch in the jungles of ’Nam,
It’s my turn now, so here I am.

“I’ve not seen my son in a long, long while,
My wife sends pictures; he’s sure got her smile.”
Bending, he gently pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue…an American flag.
“I can live through cold and being alone,
Away from my family, friends, and home.

I can man my post through rain and sleet,
I can sleep in foxholes, with little to eat.
“I can stand the pain of killing another,
Or lay down my life with sister or brother
Who now stand guard against any and all,
To ensure for all time this flag won’t fall.

Go back inside and harbor no fear.
Your family is safe because I am near.”
“But somehow we must show our gratitude—
“Give you money…prepare you food.
Not much, compared to all you’ve done,
For being away from your wife and son.”

Said he, with tears in his eyes, but no regret,
“Just love us, my friend, and never forget,
In the fight for our rights, you must never sway,
Stand your own watch while we’re far away.
“When we return, standing or dead,
Knowing you remembered who fought and bled,
Is reward enough — with that we trust:

We matter to you; you matter to us.”

Jimmy Reed is a newspaper columnist for the Oxford Eagle and college teacher.