The poem/song has been credited to at least four servicemen serving in as many countries during the 1980s-990s. However, Marine Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt stationed in Washington DC in 1986, is now cited by most if not all sources as the creator of Merry Christmas My Friend. It has been known also, with minor changes, as A Soldiers Silent Night, A Soldiers Christmas, A Sailors Christmas, Christmas Soldier, and Christmas Night Song. The late Charismatic Episcopal Priest and Marine Veteran Ted Berndt, as a reader of the poem, recorded it in 2003. A Soldiers Silent Night was played on radio stations across America that year and the following year earned at least one significant award for its presentation. Since then, listeners have shared this project, world-wide! Father Berndts family wrote they hope it influences any opinion about any war, and goes deeper to foster an appreciation for the sacrifice and courage of our military and their families. Corporal Schmidts was quoted in December, 2002: The true story is that while a Lance Corporal serving as Battalion Counter Sniper at the Marine Barracks 8th & I, Washington, D.C., under Commandant P.X. Kelly and Battalion Commander D.J. Myers (in 1986), I wrote this poem to hang on the door of the gym in the BEQ. When Colonel Myers came upon it, he read it and immediately had copies sent to each department at the Barracks and promptly dismissed the entire Battalion early for Christmas leave. The poem was placed that day in the Marine Corps Gazette, distributed worldwide and later submitted to Leatherneck (Marines) Magazine and published there in December, 1991. As Leatherneck wrote of the poems author in 2003: Merry Christmas, My Friend, has been a holiday favorite among leatherneckphiles for nearly the time it takes to complete a Marine Corps career...
Posted on: Sat, 13 Dec 2014 17:50:47 +0000
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