---
title: "‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the war zone…"
description: "Task & Purpose is pleased to bring you a festive Global War on Terror rendition of \"A Visit from St. Nicholas.\""
date: "2020-12-24"
modified: "2020-12-24"
authors:
  - name: "James Clark"
    job_title: "Editor-in-Chief"
    link: "https://taskandpurpose.com/authors/james-clark/"
url: "https://taskandpurpose.com/culture/night-before-christmas-forever-war/"
categories:
  - "Culture"
  - "Humor"
  - "Mandatory Fun"
---

# ‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the war zone…

![](<https://taskandpurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/23/santa-af-e1608749586434.jpg>)

*This rendition of “A Visit from St. Nicholas” by Clement Clarke Moore was written by Task & Purpose deputy editor James Clark, who included photos he took during his 2011 deployment to Kajaki and Sangin, Afghanistan with 1st Battalion, 6th Marines.*

> *'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the war zone,*

> *Not a creature was stirring, not even a drone*

> *Coyote brown beanies were donned with care,*

> *In the hopes that our first sergeant would not be there*

> *The Marines were nestled, all snug in their beds,*

> *While nightmares of Jody danced in their heads,*

> *And my battle buddy in his shemagh, and I in my cap,*

> *Had just got off post and were ready for a nap*

> *When over the radio arose such a clatter*

> *I sprang from my rack to see what was the matter*

> *The sergeant major was inbound — my dreams of rest all a-tatter*

![](<https://taskandpurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/image-placeholder-title-116.jpg>)

> *Into the PB the convoy came 'round*

> *And out of the MRAP he leapt with a bound*

![](<https://taskandpurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/image-placeholder-title-117.jpg>)

> *He was dressed all in red,*

> *And shot us a glare that filled us with dread*

![](<https://taskandpurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/image-placeholder-title-118.jpg>)

> *But, a seabag of gifts he had flung on his back*

> *And with a flak on his chest, he belted a hoot*

> *“Shave your nasty faces, you dumb boots!”*

![](<https://taskandpurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/image-placeholder-title-119.jpg>)

> *With a hearty guffaw he went straight to his work,*

> *Throwing dip and Gerbers to Marines with a jerk,*

![](<https://taskandpurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/image-placeholder-title-121.jpg>)

> *Once our rucks were stuffed with holiday cheer,*

> *He assembled his gear and the gun trucks withdrew*

![](<https://taskandpurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/image-placeholder-title-123.jpg>)

> *Before they went out, he gave such a shout*

> *“On to Alpha, and Bravo, and Charlie, and Weapons,*

> *Heavens help us, on to H&S, too”*

![](<https://taskandpurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/image-placeholder-title-124.jpg>)

> *Then I heard him exclaim, 'ere he drove out of sight,*

> *“Happy Forever War to all, and to all a good night!”*

## Author
James Clark is the editor-in-chief of Task & Purpose. He is a former Marine and a veteran of the War in Afghanistan.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/JamesWClark>)  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/jclarkjournalism/>)