Sharing A Christmas Poem
T'was the night before Christmas
Flying through Great Plains skies
It was the house I approached
That caused me to cry.
Another home of a hero
A husband. A Dad.
Who’d given his all,
In a place called Iraq.
Colonel Felts was a good man
A fine leader, a friend.
Who wound up in Kansas
Teaching others the trend.
A student/instructor,
The last that you’d have thought
That they’d ask to deploy
He’d never been caught.
A soldier’s soldier
He volunteered without fear
With his family behind him
We’d all reason to cheer.
Then in November
We heard the sad news
Our hero had fallen
The Lord had to choose.
“Why this good man, God?
He believed in you so
He raised a fine family
Why must he go?”
“My son. Dear Saint Nick
Of all you should know
This man, once a boy
Had something to show.
To a nation who’s reeling
With hate and deceit
They had something to learn
From this man they would meet”
“His manners, his smile
They had to believe
An American soldier
With his heart on his sleeve.”
“The Iraqi soldiers he touched
Are far better men
For having met him
Tom would do it again.”
“God, you are right
As you always are
But shouldn’t this man
Be wearing a star?”
“Nicholas, my boy
Up here in heaven
It doesn’t much matter
The rank you’ve been given”
“Privates and generals
Share the same scene
And gather at a place
They call Fiddler’s Green.”
“Stop by there sometime
You’ll be most certainly welcomed
With men like Tom. Stonewall and Lee
And countless others just like them.”
“Now off with you Santa
Your night’s not half through
You’re still here in Kansas
There’s much more to do.”
Again he was right
My sleigh started to slow
Over Fort Leavenworth
That place I must go.
Down the chimney I slid
The clock ticking at quarter til 2
My tears mostly stopped
These things I must do.
Besides the gifts I left
Beneath the Felts’ tree
I trudged through the home
The family to see.
There were three girls
And one little boy.
I expected much sadness
A home without joy.
When I checked on the girls
I expected fresh tears
Sara, LeAnna and Rebekah
But I found fine, young women without fear.
In their teen dreams
They were visiting Dad
Of course they all missed him
But they seemed almost glad.
Knowing their father
Still was manning his post
Placed sweet smiles on their faces
Dad was among God’s heavenly host.
In young Tom’s room
Somewhat cluttered with toys
I watched every step
Not making a noise.
His daddy’s picture
Placed with care on the wall
I’ve seen him before
In Virginia I recall.
I just had to smile
He’s just like his father
He’d rather give
Than receive from another.
The last I would visit
Was Thomas’ wife Kim
Is she holding up?
With this new burden?
My question was answered
As I entered the room
Still filled with love
With Tom as her groom.
You don’t marry a soldier
Without this thought in mind
He might not come home
Less whole or even blind
No, Tom did his duty
As he saw it fit
In this world now so troubled
He just wouldn’t quit.
This family was fine
They were true believers
In helping all men
May God bless these over-achievers.
As I mounted my sleigh
To continue my trek
We began to rise
The Felts’ home just a speck.
I’ve got thousands of homes
Yet to visit tonight
That have lost some to war
Fighting for right.
These men and the women
Who have laid down their lives
Are to be thanked and respected
So that others survive.
This Christmas please think
How you can say thanks
Soldiers’ Angels can help
Just stop by the bank.
Dig deep into your pockets, you’ve got the spare cash.
Drop it in the red kettle; it’ll help tighten your sash.
It will make you feel good; it will make you feel right…
Merry Christmas to all, and to all….a good night!
MajorDad1984
December 2006
Thank you, Major, for sharing the memory of your friend. I'm grateful for the opportunity to give tribute to a fallen hero, especially at this time of year.
Very, very nice.
Thank you for posting this.
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