A Service Time Christmas

A Service Time Christmas

How many men and women
How many years has it been
Christmas so far from home
Not at home or near a phone

Whether Valley Forge or Bastogne
Or winter places cold and unknown
Or hot and steamy where rifles rust
Or foreign places full of dust

It Christmas time in the field
A turkey dinner or C-Rat meal
All of us too keyed up to feel
Lying eyes say no big deal

Quiet thoughts of a family and friend
Behind it all, wondering what's our end
No one there that can understand
And there's no one here but Command

It's Christmas time in the Service
Wondering what I did to deserve this
Wondering if those before me
Those who fought to keep us free

Were able to find someplace alone
A place where tears are prone
No Christmas presents or decorative lights
Kicking rocks grousing about my rights

A quiet moment a quiet thought
All of it coming to naught
I understand what I bought
I know better I was taught

I pick up my gear
Find buddy's near
We smile and know
We just turn and go

To the job at hand
We are a tight band
Sister and Brother
We got each other

Somethings ya just can't hide
Comments clever or snide
Up comes running another hungry kid
Dig in the packs and Christmas is not hid