---
title: "‘Twas the night before Christmas in a warzone…"
description: "Task & Purpose is pleased to bring you a festive Global War on Terror rendition of \"A Visit from St. Nicholas.\""
date: "2019-12-23"
modified: "2019-12-23"
authors:
  - name: "James Clark"
    job_title: "Editor-in-Chief"
    link: "https://taskandpurpose.com/authors/james-clark/"
url: "https://taskandpurpose.com/culture/twas-the-night-before-christmas-at-war/"
categories:
  - "Culture"
  - "Mandatory Fun"
---

# ‘Twas the night before Christmas in a warzone…

![](<https://taskandpurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/23/111224-M-1012C-120-e1640266293763.jpg>)

*Editors note: This rendition of "A Visit from St. Nicholas" by Clement Clarke Moore was written by Task & Purpose senior reporter 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 warzone,

### Not a creature was stirring, not even a drone

### Coyote brown beanies were donned with care,

### In the hopes that 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/>)