The Night Before Christmas

"Let us not forget the reason for the season and those who went before us to insure our right to do so."

-Bob Pointer

The Night Before Christmas 

by Bob Pointer

Twas the night before Christmas,

and throughout the ship,

not a person was stirring,

not a sound from a lip.

The racks were all empty,

the decks were all bare,

the lights were all out,

just some red ones here and there.

The volunteers were gone,

at home with their families.

There was no one else aboard, I chuckled,

'cept maybe a few ghosts and me.

I looked out of a porthole,

and slowly let out a sigh.

I saw that it was snowing,

large flakes were drifting by.

I was locking down LST 325.

It was closed for the holiday,

just a few more things to check

and I’ll be on my way.

When up on the main deck,

there rose such a clatter.

I ran up two ladders

to go see what was the matter.

I ran past the galley,

ran right past the head,

turned starboard at the Wardroom,

un-dogged the door by the Captains bed.

Outside I find silence,

just wind blowing through the lines,

the lapping of waves on the hull,

like I've heard so many times.

The moon on the crest of the new fallen snow,

cast a hypnotic like luster to the deck below.

When what to my wondering eyes did appear,

but a deck full of soldiers with their packs and their gear.

There were Sailors setting the sea detail,

the rails were guarded by Marines,

it seemed we were getting underway.

Was it real or in my dreams?

I walked up to a lonely private,

I ask what was going on here.

He turned around to me and said,

We do this once a year.

We went to sea on this LST,

but never made it home,

we died on foreign beaches,

but we did not die alone.

Many years before our time,

our Savior paid the price.

He promised he would be with us,

through all our trials and strife

Like the Shepherds did before us,

we set course for that Eastern Star,

at journeys end we worship him,

like the others did from afar.

Was I dreaming or was it real?

I really did not know,

slowly the soldiers began to fade,

the private said now I too must go.

One thing I ask before I leave,

something you must do,

remember us on Christmas Eve,

and the Savior who died for you.

The night air was crisp and silent,

as I stood alone on the deck,

snow still falling around me,

cold wind blowing down my neck.

Suddenly I heard the ships bell ring,

but no one was in sight.

I could have sworn I heard the private say,

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

BP '09