Marine sings 'Merry Christmas from Afghanistan'

As Christmas celebrators sit around the fireplace opening presents and sipping cider today, thousands of troops are experiencing the holiday very differently, as this viral video reminds us. Recorded in 2009 and spreading like wildfire across the Internet today, the clip shows Marine Cpl. Andrew Visscher singing a self-penned song called, "Merry Christmas from Afghanistan." With half-humorous, half-poignant lyrics ("Back in the USA you’ve got mistletoe … we've got sandstorms and grenades"), the corporal's song hints at the frustration and sadness, as well as the dogged camaraderie that comes with serving in a war. When the camera pans the crowd, you can't help but get a lump in your throat glimpsing the troops a world away from home on the holidays. Merry Christmas, brave soldiers.

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