U.S. soldiers stand behind a Christmas tree at Camp Prosperity in Baghdad December 24, 2007. REUTERS/Mohammed AmeenChristmas Eve 2007. The shopping is done, our home is decorated, snow is expected overnight and we are looking forward to attending a candlelight service in the early evening hours. What more could I ask for?
Christmas, a time for reflecting on the reason for the season. I love the Christmas season but I have to be honest...there is no denying that this year feels different...Chris is away...in Baghdad with the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment ...in a combat zone.
So tonight when I light my candle it will be for Chris and the entire 2nd SCR. I will lift it up high for all to see..and I will continue to pray for his safety and the continued calm in Iraq.
Sure, tears will roll down my face...
Tears for our fallen angels and their families...we will not forget...
Tears for the sacrifice, courage and commitment of our warriors who have taken up where they fell - we will not forget...
Tears that will say to those standing around me...I am proud of my son and what he is doing for our great country and for the people of Iraq...I will not forget...
What does Christmas Eve look and feel like for the 2nd SCR?
By Peter Graff
Mon Dec 24, 10:34 AM ET
Reuters
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Christmas Eve, late afternoon, and U.S. soldiers from 4th Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment piled into their Stryker armored vehicles for a patrol out on the streets of Baghdad.
This is the fifth Christmas that U.S. troops have been out in Iraq, and commanders say the best way to keep morale up is to keep moving.
There are special dinners, packages from home, religious services and decorations around camp, but no let-up in patrols.
"My personal goal would be to try to go ahead and keep the mission constant," said Ray Ramsey, who has spent 23 years in the army and his third Christmas in Iraq, looking after about 100 men as the first sergeant of a Stryker troop.
"We want to recognize it, go ahead and acknowledge it and wish everybody a Merry Christmas. But if you make too much of it you give them probably an opportunity to dwell on where they're not and what they're not having right now," he said.
Iraq has become far less violent in recent months, and the mood among troops is visibly lighter than in Christmases past.
So far in December, 17 U.S. service members have died in Iraq, putting it on course to be the safest month for Americans since the war began, according to figures on Web site icasualties.org.
Forty U.S. service members died in Iraq in November, compared with 131 in May.
The 4th Squadron received a flood of goodwill packages this Christmas from friends and family of a soldier who was killed.
The squadron chaplain, Captain Bryan Smith, was giving out the gifts by opening up a Christmas Eve "store" where everything is free. He said he had given out Xbox controllers and portable CD players as well as soft-drinks and snacks.
Presents from home keep soldiers' spirits up, he said.
"You get the blues around Christmas time," he said.
"When they get boxes from home like that, they say: 'Hey, my family is thinking about me' and it gives them that touch, just like they're at home still."
Specialist Corey Jones, 20, found a stuffed reindeer in one of the care packages and was wearing it perched on top of the soldier's cap on his head. It's his second Christmas in Baghdad.
"I'd rather be home with my family, but I get used to hanging around everybody here," he said.
"This is my buddy Moe Moose," he said of the reindeer. "I figured I like to keep him on my head because it's like a second buddy for Christmas, so now I can spend the holidays with him."
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Let me close with this wonderful video of Christmas at Arlington Cemetery...spend a moment with it and tonight...light a candle for our warriors...we have much to be thankful for...
Chris, we love you son. Be safe!
v/r,
- Collabman
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6 comments:
Thank you for posting this beautiful tribute to the warriors of our country. Without them where would we be?
Thank you so much. My brother, a WWII vet, died this year. It was very moving to know that people in our country want to honor what he and others have done. My son is home for R&R this Christmas, but he'll be returning to Iraq in Jan. We pray for his and your son's safe return at tour's end.
"This is what it's all about"
Thank You for sharing this very powerful video. I think everyone around the world should see this. Our Veterans should never be forgotten. We do tend to get busy and push things aside, then before you know it the important thing are tucked in the back of our minds. I enjoyed this and will keep it close at hand to keep it fresh in my mind and heart.
THANK YOU for helping others better realize the courageous sacrifices that U.S. soldiers continue to make for our freedom.
My precious fiancé, 2LT Peter Burks, killed 11-14-07 in Baghdad, stood proudly next to his Army brothers and sisters, and served all of us in the most noble, honorable way. He fulfilled his mission on earth, and his legacy will remain with us forever. We hope that the “Burks Country Store”, set up in Pete’s memory thanks to the generous support of our family and friends, will bring smiles to many faces at Camp Prosperity, especially during the Holidays. These brave men and women give our country LIFE, and we are forever in debt to them for that.
Pete’s family and mine are proud to be part of your Army family. God Bless.
Ms. Melissa - thank you ma'am for taking the time to share your thoughts. Each one of these fallen angels has a name...and we will remember them..we owe them a debt that can never be returned.
I am humbled by the price 2LT Burks paid on my behalf. I am also touched to hear about the Burks Country store established at Camp Prosperity to honor him. This is outstanding...
You are family and welcomed on this blog any time, any day.
Thank you Ma'am...I remember...
v/r,
- Collabman
Thank you for this posting, it is so touching. It really shows how much this country supports our troops.
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