A special wish for a Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas to all!

This time of year is the perfect time to reflect and show appreciation to those around you. Christmas is a time of giving. I want to share my personal Christmas reflection. As a member of the military, many times in my life I have not been at home during the holidays. Fortunately, I am home this season. We should all think about those who are protecting us by serving away from home.

The reflection I want to share from 2005. I was deployed to not so garden hot spot around the globe. Most fo the unit was nto afforded the time to travel home for Christmas. We had some well wished in the form of visits from stars from Hollywood, but not the visits from loved ones that we preferred.

The thing that amazed me was the flood of care packages from strangers across the United States. The packages contained toiletries, comfort foods,m snacks, and just about anything you could imagine to make our stay a little less inhospitable. I handwrote thank you notes to each person but it cannot come to meet in immeasurable good that you did for me and my unit. I want to give my love to everyone that made that sacrifice.

I am truly grateful for all of Soldier, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines and their families that are downrange right now. Take some time this holiday season to be appreciative of those who work when they should be with family and friends, those who are away from those they love, and those who sacrifice for our needs.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May this Christmas and holiday season find you surrounded by those you love, filled with a lot of cheer, and good health.