Corpsmen Moms and Dads

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Comment by Cathy (mom of 2 corpsmen) 8 hours ago

very nice poem , thank you, i intend to share it ........

Comment by Gloria "Corpsman's Mom" 12 hours ago

Good thanks - that elevated temp has passed - maybe I was fighting flu or something. I copied this from someones post.

Comment by Carol 12 hours ago

Gloria, that is such a beautiful poem. I have read similar ones before, but this one stands out...and brings a tear! Thank you for posting. How are you feeling??

Comment by Gloria "Corpsman's Mom" 12 hours ago

Congratulations June on your grandchild. What a beautiful baby and I agree with Ruthella want to wake him up and squeeze. Reminds me of when my kids where little and I used to bite them playfully, and occassionally once or twice toooooo hard. That age they are so irresistable.

Comment by Gloria "Corpsman's Mom" 12 hours ago

A Different Kind of Christmas Poem

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn’t loud, and it wasn’t too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I did not quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty (20) years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.


What are you doing? I asked with-out fear,
Come in this moment, it’s freezing out here.
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve.

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts,
To the window that danced with a warm fire’s light.
Then he sighed and he said, It’s really alright, I’m out here by choice. I’m here every night.

It’s my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask of beg or implore me,
My Gramps died at Pearl on a day in December, than he signed, That’s a Christmas Gram always remembers.

My dad stood his watch in the jungles of Nam,
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I have not seen my son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he’s sure got her smile.

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The Red, White & Blue – an American Flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep I a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother.

Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.
So go back inside her said, harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and Ill be alright.

But isn’t their something I can do, at the least,
Give you money I asked, or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you’ve done,
For being away from your wife and your son.

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we’re gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you matter to us.


This Poem was authored by:

LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN
30th Naval Construction Regiment

Comment by Ruth VH 1 day ago

I'm awake Ruthella...do you want to play?

Comment by ruthella 1 day ago

So quiet tonight, sshh. Junes new turkey baby is napping. He's so dang cute, I want him to wake up so we can play with those cheeks. WAKE UP BABY!!!!!

Comment by Natalie 1 day ago

Congratulations, June!! Such beautiful hair, too!! One of my kids grandmas wanted to be called Granny. She always thought it sounded like fun. Is this your first grandchild?

Comment by Ruth VH on November 27, 2009 at 9:06pm

Oh and thank you everyone...I found my recipe box...on top of the fridge behind the potato chips! Hard to believe I didn't see it.. oh wait, I don't eat chips anymore! hehehe

Comment by Ruth VH on November 27, 2009 at 9:01pm

June, that's the cutest little "turkey" I've seen in a long time... and I love the name (my youngest is named Andrew & called Drew). See, even though your Sailor couldn't be there with you for Thanksgiving, he still managed to give you a "gift"! What a sweet memory for your Thanksgiving Day...and what a blessing to give thanks for! Congrats Gramma June!
(I am fortunate, I am the only Grandma my grandkids have...so I am really spoiled...I have them for every Holiday!)

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