Since 1998 during the week of Christmas, the Messenger Index has printed “A Soldier’s Poem.” The poem was written by U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal James Schmidt in 1986.

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 and all is secure." ...

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The poem reminded me that the holiday season of joy is awfully lonely for the young men and women we send to faraway places in the name of freedom. Ray, a Pennsylvania farm boy, was only 22 years old ...