There are several variations of "A Soldier's Christmas" and we thank Rebecca Kutcher for sending in one of these. The prevailing consensus is that "A Soldier's Christmas" is most often attributed to Bruce W. Lovely. This particular version came from a US Navy veteran's web site and its words ring with the most authenticity. While the majority of us will spend the holidays with family and friends, many soldiers are stationed far from home as these pictures below show. Let us never forget we are able to share these times in a free country because of the sacrifices and efforts of our armed forces. We owe them a huge THANK YOU!

If you want to send Christmas greetings to a soldier, you can do so through Operation DEAR ABBY which nationally syndicated columnist Abigail Van Buren began 16 years ago. From November 15, 2000 to January 15, 2001 you can send cards and letters to the addresses posted on this Defense Link site. After these dates, APOs/FPOs will close and USPS will no longer accept mail. To ensure mail is received within the required time window and falls within the DoD security guidelines, mail only first class letters not weighing more than 13 ounces (368 g). Remember our troops this holiday season and let them know you appreciate them!

A Soldier's Christmas By Lt. Col. Bruce W. Lovely	Click on each picture for caption
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 did I 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 far distant lands. With medals and badges, awards of all kind, A sober thought came through my mind. For this house was different, so dark and dreary, I found the house of a soldier, once I could see clearly. I heard stories about them, I had to see more. So I walked down the hall and pushed open the door. The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone, Curled upon the floor in this one-bedroom home. The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder, Not how I pictured a United States soldier. Was this the hero of whom I'd just read? Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed? His head was clean shaven, his weathered face tan, I soon understood this was more than a man. For I realized the families I saw on this night, Owed their lives to these men, who were willing to fight. Soon 'round the world the children would play, And grown-ups 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 watched him for hours, so silent and still And we both shivered from the cold night's chill. So I took off my jacket, the one made of red, And covered this soldier from his toes to his head. And I put on his T-shirt of gray and black, With an Eagle and Army patch embroidered on back Although it barely fit me, I swelled with pride, And for one shining moment, I was a soldier deep inside. 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.
Lt. Col. Bruce W. Lovely, USAF, wrote this for Christmas 1993 while assigned to US Forces Korea. It was subsequently printed in the Fort Leavenworth Lamp in 1995. (With apologies to Clement Moore who first wrote the story for his children in 1882. I also credit M/Sgt Noah Brazos Ross, a US Army 18th Field Artillery survivor of Utah Beach, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Battle for the Ardennes, Deutschland, who wrote "Daddy's Christ- mas (Soldier's Christmas)" as a Bonita, Montague County, Texas, high school writing exercise in 1937.)
	Click to see the 1000+ sailor "Christmas tree" on board the USS John F. Kennedy

With affection,
Holly and Stan
Seismo and Taco

Taco: (looking out across the water in the dam) "Seismo, y'know, we're sorta like American troops
stationed overseas. . ."
Seismo: "Howzat?"
Taco: "Well, we're guard dogs for our American parents here in far off Australia. We wear dog tags.
We live in spartan conditions and we don't get a traditional white Christmas at home in America
either."
Seismo: "Yah. . .hmmmmm. . . I never thought of it that way. . . (scratch, scratch). "But we like what
we do. That's why we joined the K9 force."
Taco: "True. Still, there comes a time when a body wants to see and enjoy what he's been
defending and we can't do that from here."
Seismo: "For once, I think we agree. (scratching in the clay by the dam) Have a look at this sign
I'm making for my spot here: 'Dog Gone America'."
Taco: "Well, Seismo, I think it would read better with a "to" in there somewhere." (sigh, "he means
well). . ."
Seismo: "Dog gonnit!. . . Yer right! I shuda put, '2 Dog Gone America' . . ."
Taco: "Heh, heh, Seismo, now you're talking! It's time to go home!"

1Bosnia, Dec. 24, 1996

A member of the 40th Airlift Squadron sprays de-icing fluid onto the wing of a U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules as the aircraft is prepared for a mission at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on Dec. 24, 1996. The Hercules and its crew are flying missions into Bosnia and Herzegovina in support of the Stabilization Force under Operation Joint Guard. Joint Guard is the successor to Operation Joint Endeavor. The 40th is deployed to Ramstein from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. DoD photo by Staff Sgt. John E. Lasky, U.S. Air Force.


2Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dec. 15, 1998

Staff Sgts. Alan Brunke (left), and Bryan Purtell (right) decorate a Christmas tree for the 401st Expeditionary Air Base Group at Tuzla Air Base, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on Dec. 15, 1998. Both are deployed to Tuzla in support of Operation Joint Forge. Brunke is deployed from F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo. Purtell is deployed from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Reed, U.S. Air Force.


3Persian Gulf, Dec. 25 1997Operation Southern Watch

Sailors onboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) celebrate a candle light religious service in the Persian Gulf on Dec. 25 1997. Washington and her embarked Carrier Air Wing One are operating in the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch which is the U.S. and coalition enforcement of the no-fly-zone over Southern Iraq. DoD photo by Airman Joseph Strevel, U.S. Navy.


4Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany, Dec. 22, 1995

U. S. Army vehicles from the 18th Military Police Battalion are lined up for inspection at Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany, on Dec. 22, 1995, for deployment to NATO's Operation Joint Endeavor. Military equipment from all over the world is being deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina where it will be used by the NATO Implementation Force (IFOR). DoD photo by Spc. Randee Anderson, U.S. Army.


5United Arab Emirates, Dec. 5, 1998Operation Southern Watch

The rock group Hootie and the Blowfish perform a United Services Organization sponsored concert for the crew members of the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) while the ship is in port at Minas Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, on Dec. 5, 1998. Enterprise and its embarked Carrier Air Wing 3 are deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch, which is the U.S. and coalition enforcement of the no-fly-zone over Southern Iraq. DoD photo by Petty Officer 1st Class William G. Lewis, U.S. Navy.


6Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dec. 23, 1997

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgts. Clint Harvin (left) and Twyla Thompson load a truck at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., with one of the 160 cases of Newman's Own microwave popcorn bound for soldiers in Bosnia and Herzegovina on Dec. 23, 1997. Actor and popcorn magnate Paul Newman donated the 5,760 bags of the popcorn which will be transported by Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen on his aircraft as he makes a holiday visit to the troops in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Harvin and Thompson are attached to the 89th Aerial Port Squadron at Andrews. DoD photo by Sgt. James F. Thompson Jr., U.S. Army.


7Persian Gulf, Dec. 16, 1999

Over 1,000 sailors form a Christmas tree on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) as the ship operates in the Persian Gulf on Dec. 16, 1999. The Kennedy Battle Group is deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch which is the U.S. and coalition enforcement of the no-fly-zone over Southern Iraq. DoD photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Christian S. Eskelund, U. S. Navy.

Sources:

1DoD; Directorate of Information Operations and Reports; Military Personnel Historical Reports; http://web1.whs.osd.mil/mmid/military/history/
2Center for Defense Information; Base Closures and Realignments; http://www.cdi.org/issues/brac/
3Remarks to the Department of Defense Conference on Base Reuse; "Recognizing a Decade of Community Redevelopment"; Remarks as Delivered By Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen; Hyatt Regency Crystal City Arlington, Virginia; Monday, March 22, 1999; http://www.defenselink.mil/speeches/1999/s19990322-secdef.html
4What Level Of Military Spending Is Enough?; February 1, 2000; http:www.ncpa.org/pi/congress/pd020100f.html
5Restoring U.S. Military Strength; Baker Spring, Jack Spencer, and James H. Anderson, Ph.D.; http://www.heritage.org/issues/chap14.html
6Military Decline Puts U.S. In A Bind; April 21, 1999; http://www.ncpa.org/pi/congress/pd042199b.html
7Military Experts Say CBO Report Answers Wrong Questions; September 14, 2000; http://www.cdi.org/press/press_releases/cbo091400.html
8What Level Of Military Spending Is Enough?; February 1, 2000; http:www.ncpa.org/pi/congress/pd020100f.html
9Restoring U.S. Military Strength; Baker Spring, Jack Spencer, and James H. Anderson, Ph.D.; http://www.heritage.org/issues/chap14.html
10US vs World Military Spending; http://www.cdi.org/issues/wme/
11Military Experts Say CBO Report Answers Wrong Questions; September 14, 2000; http://www.cdi.org/press/press_releases/cbo091400.html
12Center for Defense Information; Comparison of the FY'99 and FY'00 Defense Budget; http://www.cdi.org/issues/usmi/FY00/comparison.html
13Military Decline Puts U.S. In A Bind; April 21, 1999; http://www.ncpa.org/pi/congress/pd042199b.html
14Ibid
15Ibid
16"Smart Bombs" Cost Money -- Lots Of It; May 4, 1999; http://www.ncpa.org/pi/congress/pd050499f.html
17Ibid
18Ibid
19Ibid
20Ibid
21"U.S. Has Spent $5.8 Trillion on Nuclear Arms Since 1940, Study Says," Washington Post, July 1, 1998
22How Effective Was The U.S. Air Campaign Against Iraqi Targets During Operation Desert Storm?; Weekly Defense Monitor; July 17, 1997; http://www.cdi.org/weekly/1997/Issue1/
23What Level Of Military Spending Is Enough?; February 1, 2000; http:www.ncpa.org/pi/congress/pd020100f.html
24Ibid
25Ibid
26Ibid
27House Republican News Conference on Defense Appropriations Bill, Washington, D.C., October 25, 1999.
28The Facts About Military Readiness; September 15, 2000; http://www.heritage.org/library/backgrounder/bg1394es.html
29 Remarks to the Department of Defense Conference on Base Reuse; "Recognizing a Decade of Community Redevelopment"; Remarks as Delivered By Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen Hyatt Regency Crystal City Arlington, Virginia; Monday, March 22, 1999; http://www.defenselink.mil/speeches/1999/s19990322-secdef.html
30What Level Of Military Spending Is Enough?; February 1, 2000; http:www.ncpa.org/pi/congress/pd020100f.html
31Military Readiness vs. Modernization; September 5, 2000; http://www.ncpa.org/pi/congress/pd090500c.html
32Ibid
33Ibid
34Ibid
35Ibid
36CNN; Where The Candidates Stand; http://www.cnn.com
37Fiscal Year 2001 Funding Request for Ballistic Missile Defense; February 2000. Source: DoD, http://nardic.nrl.navy.mil/budget.htm and Procurement Programs (P-1); February 2000; http:// www. dtic. mil/ comptroller
38Program Acquisition Costs By Weapons System; February 2000. Source: DoD, http://nardic.nrl.navy.mil/budget.htm and Procurement Programs (P-1); February 2000; http:// www. dtic. mil/ comptroller
39Ibid
40Restoring U.S. Military Strength; Baker Spring, Jack Spencer, and James H. Anderson, Ph.D.; http://www.heritage.org/issues/chap14.html
41Britain Pledges 12,000 To Euro-Army; November 21, 2000; http://www.telegraph.co.uk:80/et?ac=003662531325865&rtmo=kCA7AAZp&atmo=
rrrrrrvs&pg=/et/00/11/21/nforc21.html
42 Russia Says Could Join EU Military Force; November 25, 2000;
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/htx/nm/20001125/wl/europe_russia_dc_2.html