Merry Christmas, My Friend

By James M. Schmidt, USMC

Follow this link to the poem.  I attempted to reprint it in this post but encountered so many formatting issues that I just gave up on it.

Lance Corporal Jim Schmidt wrote this poem in 1986 while serving as a Battalion Counter-sniper at Marine Barracks, 8th & I Streets, Washington, D. C.  According to Schmidt’s own account, after he penned the poem he placed it on the door to the gymnasium.  At some point later, the battalion commander, Colonel D. J. Meyers borrowed it from its placement, made copies, and distributed them to each department at the barrack.  Then he dismissed the battalion early for Christmas liberty.

Initially, the poem was distributed anonymously.  However, after the poem was identified with Corporal Schmidt, it appeared in the Marine Corps Gazette and Leatherneck Magazine, giving it worldwide distribution.  Today, Jim Schmidt practices law in Los Angeles, California.  Once a Marine, always a Marine.

To all my readers, their loved-ones, and to my ever-decreasing number of active duty Marine Corps friends, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  May God bless and keep all of you throughout the upcoming year.

Semper Fidelis,

Published by

Mustang

Retired Marine, historian, writer.

8 thoughts on “Merry Christmas, My Friend”

  3. I have seen this on the internet a few times over the past couple decades(?) but didn’t know the author.

    It’s a beautiful read.

    I hope your family’s week is wonderful Mustang.

    Liked by 1 person

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