MOST PEOPLE HAVE an item or tradition that gets them into the Christmas spirit. There are two traditions that I must complete before I can feel the holiday spirit. First, I have to read my favorite childhood book, The Polar Express, which brings me back to a time when pure belief in the magical was easy and acceptable. Next, I have to listen to Mannheim Steamroller’s version of Stille Nacht. This song is exceptionally beautiful, conjuring images of a cold but clear nighttime snowfall. However, I recently discovered a new edition of this song; one that evokes very different emotions, but still exhibits the same beauty and clarity. As a result, I’ve adopted a new Christmas tradition that touches upon an issue that all Americans should be aware of during this holiday season.
“A Soldier’s Silent Night” was written by Marine Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt in 1986. It was originally written as a poem but has since been adapted and set to the tune of Mannheim Steamroller’s Stille Nacht. The original title of the poem was “Merry Christmas, My Friend” and was specifically tailored for the Marine Corps. Over the years, it has been modified to integrate all branches of the military. In 2002, Corporal Schmidt explained how the words came to be written. After writing the poem on a typewriter, Corporal Schmidt posted it on the door of the gym in his barracks. The battalion commander, Colonel D.J. Myers, came upon it and immediately had copies sent to the rest of the battalion. The poem also seemingly touched Colonel Myers enough to send the entire battalion home early for Christmas. It was subsequently placed in the Marine Corps Gazette and later in Leatherneck Magazine.
As noted above, “A Soldier’s Silent Night” has been set to the tune of Mannheim Steamroller’s Stille Nacht. Narrated by Fr. Ted Berndt, a former Marine and Episcopalian Priest, and with the help of his daughter Ellen Stout, the poem was recorded in one take and received a national A.I.R. (Achievement in Radio) award from the March of Dimes. Fr. Berdnt, whose poems and writings are touching and passionate in their own right, passed away on March 19, 2004. However, part of his legacy is preserved in this recording: his rough, aged voice creates an air of beauty that makes the adapted poem so moving.
When I first heard of this poem from a family member, a bare-bones description was enough to bring tears to my eyes; an admittedly low threshold for a sap like me. However, reading and listening to the poem for myself touched me even further. It describes an encounter that Santa Claus has with a United States soldier sleeping alone in a distant country. Within the poem, there are a few poignant sections that reveal the great sacrifices soldiers make not just during Christmas, but every day they are in harm’s way. It also highlights the honor and nobility of our men and women in uniform, encapsulated by this one solider.
The poem begins with Santa Claus arriving at a “one-bedroom house made of plaster and stone.” The inhabitant of this house remains unknown to Santa as he slides down the chimney.
and to see just who in this dwelling did live.
As I looked all around, a strange sight to see,
no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking on the mantle, just boots filled with sand.
The house described here reveals the foreign and uncomfortable setting of a soldier’s makeshift dwelling. It forces the reader to envisage a home devoid of decorations and holiday adornments, save for the sandbags that cover the windows and door; a vastly different setting from the millions of homes laced with the aroma of Christmas tree pine and holiday cheer. As Santa scans the room, he comes upon a figure that is “curled up in a poncho, sleeping on the floor.” For Santa, the scene is curious and saddening, and he continues to ponder who this individual is. It finally dawns on him that, nestled on the floor before him, is the body of a sleeping soldier. Gazing at the lonely silhouette, Santa is moved with pity and begins to reflect on the sacrifices that soldiers make.
In the morning around the world, children would play
Grown-ups would celebrate a bright Christmas day
But they all enjoyed freedom, each month through the year,
because of soldiers like the one lying here.
The blanket of freedom we enjoy each day is provided by men and women like the very soldier that Santa has encountered. As the poem suggests, our freedom is enjoyed not just during the Christmas season, but during “each month through the year.” The serviceman’s love of this country makes him willing to sacrifice his holiday so the rest of us can enjoy ours. Moreover, he is willing to sacrifice his own life because he believes in what we’re fighting for: freedom, liberty, justice. As Santa is brought to his knees and weeps at the heartrending sight before him, the soldier awakens and whispers in a coarse voice:
I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more.
My life is my God, my country, my Core.”
This short passage sums up the extraordinary dignity and courage that all soldiers possess. Our men and women in uniform fight valiantly everyday to keep our homeland safe. As Commander Galloway observes in the movie A Few Good Men, “they stand upon a wall and say ‘nothing is going to hurt you tonight, not on my watch!'” The bravery and pride of all the current and former soldiers that I’ve been blessed to know is unparalleled. For this, the men and women in the armed forces deserve not only our praise, but also our prayers and thanks. Santa, wanting to comfort this lonely soldier, decides to stay with him through the night.
as both of us shivered from the cold night’s chill.
I didn’t want to leave him on that cold, dark night.
This guardian of honor, so willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over with a voice soft and pure.
He whispered, “Carry on Santa, it’s Christmas Day, all secure.”
During this Christmas season, it’s important that we remember those men and women who are away from their families. It’s also vital that we give thanks for the soldiers who continue to protect us during this wonderful holiday. It’s a tragedy that there’s so much negative rhetoric about the mission our soldiers are faced with. The bottom line is that our troops, and their families, need and deserve our support and gratitude, especially during this holiday season. I pray that every American will join me this year, and every year, in repeating the words uttered by Santa Claus at the conclusion of this poem:
May God bless you this night.
Kyle Dabruzzi is a counterterrorism analyst in Washington, D.C. He previously served in Army ROTC.
