On Sun, 16 Dec 2007 16:43:46 +0000, T. & D. Gregor, Sr. wrote:

Soldier's Silent Night

Written by former Marine Corporal James M. Schmidt, in 1987 when
stationed in Washington D.C., it was pounded out on a typewriter while
awaiting the commanding officer's Christmas holiday decoration
inspection. It was originally title "Merry Christmas, My Friend", and
was an instant success that reportedly brought tears to the eyes of the
barracks Commander who ordered it distributed to everyone he knew. It
appeared in the barracks publication Pass in Review in December 1987 and
Leatherneck Magazine in December 1991.

The poem was recorded as a tribute by Father Ted Berndt, a former Marine
and Purple Heart recipient during World War II, currently residing in
Dousman, Wisconsin for his daughter Ellen Stout, a Clear Channel radio
personality.

[Note: As the poem was written by a Marine about a Marine and the
recording was made by a Marine, I'm
not sure why the recording was titled "Soldier's Silent Night". It
might be because "soldier" can be used to describe anyone in the Armed
Forces (capital S "Soldier" means Army). Or it just might be a
mistake?.]

"If you can listen to this spoken word piece without choking up, you are
a heartless *******. And since I've been called one on innumerable
occasions, I can speak from experience here".

The *.mp3 format link follows:

http://mysite.verizon.net/tdgsr/audi...tfatherted.mp3


Excellent, thanks for sharing it.