It happened on a cold December night. At Babyland General® Hospital in Cleveland, Georgia, of all places! This birthplace of the famous Cabbage Patch Kids ® was hosting a promotional event for the U. S. Marine Corps’ Annual Toys for Tots ®.

Fun activities were in full swing, everywhere a festive atmosphere. Inside the white frame building, youngsters watched with eyes wide as uniformed “nurses” in the cabbage patch “delivered” cloth babies.

Outside, where colorful, twinkling lights adorned every accessible tree and shrub, exuberant volunteers manned hotdog stands, popcorn machines, and hot chocolate dispensers, while excited children awaited the arrival of the High School band escorting a horse-drawn wagon bearing Santa Claus!

Singing groups gathered on the makeshift stage under a marquee of bare-limbed oaks, their “Silent Nights” and “Up on the Housetops” wafting along the winter breezes.

Listening to the Toys for Tots Singers, I stood next to our area Marine recruiter. The young sergeant was the picture of a proud Marine—shoulders back, chest out. Wearing dress blues, white cover positioned squarely on his head, the sergeant’s black shoes were shined so brightly they mirrored the colorful, twinkling lights.

From out of the milling crowd appeared a young man with his daughter—she must have been about five. “Pardon me, Sergeant,” he said. “May my little girl have a word with you?”

Appearing somewhat taken aback, the Marine nodded “yes.”

Whereupon the child, with great dignity, walked around to face him. Drawing herself up to full height, possibly 2 ½ feet, she fixed her gaze upon the ribbons on his chest, placed her right hand over her heart and, with utmost solemnity, began, “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America…”

The sergeant quietly shifted position from At Ease to Attention while, in a clear small voice, the little one recited the Pledge to its conclusion, “one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

The Marine’s trained-to-be-tough features never flinched. But as a light beam caught his face, I detected something in his eye that wanted to be a tear. I know, because I choked down one myself.

For to that dear child, the young Marine sergeant was America. And how fitting. Because, indeed, a Marine—like America itself—is a tough fighter if necessary. But when allowed, each has a considerate, tender heart.
Whether it’s gathering toys for needy children at Christmas, or airdropping food to the enemy in the midst of war, Americans much prefer a kinder, gentler role. Yet, they stand ever ready to do whatever is necessary to defend their way of life—their freedom.

At Babyland General that cold December night, I saw America at its finest. In the Marine serving his country. In the little girl showing respect. In everyday people giving their time and resources, wanting nothing more than for children everywhere to have a happy Christmas.

America—standing tall.
My America.
One nation, under God.

©2005, Gloria Cassity Stargel