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Baghdad Merry Christmas everyone!
I wonder if it is going to be a white Christmas back at home; I can safely say that we won’t be having one. Still, it is the true meaning of the holiday that makes it a joyous one and a turning point for those of us that will be going home soon (hopefully). Our daily operations continue throughout the season with a few exceptions. The festive decorations strategically placed throughout our work and living spaces, and Christmas music echoed through the hallways from some of our soldier’s rooms and offices. For us here at Echo Company, we hope for another quiet, relaxing holiday that will allow us to reflect on how our families are doing in our absence. As for me, I know it is very difficult for them but I am reassured knowing that they will bond together and make it a pleasant and joyous occasion. We will be exchanging small gifts with one another and also with some of the less fortunate locals that work with us. They will receive gifts of necessities in which they struggle so hard to find and earn the money for. Their gifts will include an individual box full of soap, shampoo, lotion, shaving cream, razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, band aids, popcorn, candy, snacks, deodorant, toilet paper, pens, paper, books (if they can read English), and whatever else I can think of. It will be a wonderful and much appreciated gift for these local nationals. I remember a couple of weeks ago I handed out some of the items we received to a few hard working Pakistanis that sweep and mop our building. They were so thrilled and their eyes lit up with gratitude. Ever since that day, one of those workers will stand outside of our office and wait for us to see him and when we do, he will give us a smile and a wave and say "good morning sir". The holiday season does not always bring joy to people however, for many of us here it is our first Christmas away from home and find ourselves feeling depressed. The important thing is to identify these soldiers that are experiencing depression and help them along, reassure them that although they are not with their family, they are not alone and we are making a difference in the world. As a leader, the responsibility of ensuring that the soldier is well taken care of is doubled. This is our duty as an Officer or Noncommissioned Officer. So for families who has someone serving over here, let it be known that they are being well taken care of and we will provide whatever support necessary. I am certain that every Unit in the Middle East is providing some sort of holiday gathering or festivity so that all service members can have a little piece of home for the holidays. For us, we will be celebrating the 12 days of Christmas and already have numerous Christmas Trees in place and ready for gifts to be placed under them. Soldiers of our Battalion will be performing a small Christmas concert for all the soldiers that will eat at our Dining Facility. I have had the opportunity to hear them practice over the last couple of weeks and am very impressed with the effort and quality of music that they will be performing. It is a very important holiday for most of us and we are not going to let what is going on around us spoil it! I’m sure the employees at the Dining Facility will cook up another delicious feast like the one they served for Thanksgiving and there will be a special mass at Christmas Eve that I believe, will include some Christmas music as well. While on one of our missions, my Commander and two of my soldiers had the opportunity to meet Robin Williams, John Elway, and a few other celebrities that were visiting soldiers at the Baghdad International Airport today. I was not so lucky but did enjoy my day as it was a day off for me. A day off here is really known as "down time" because you are always on call should your duties require you to be at work. Down time is an opportunity to catch up on sleep, relax a bit, watch a movie, play some video games, read, write letters or email, clean your room, or prepare for the next day. On the average we get one day of down time per week but sometimes mission dictates differently. It is a good way for us to separate the weeks here. I have mentioned in a previous column, days here tend to blend together and we do not even realize what day of the week it is. On Sunday the 19th of December, the Hampton Bays Fire Department was kind enough to stop at my family’s house in East Quogue (they just moved there) with Santa Claus to wish my family a Merry Christmas. My children, nephews, and niece got a thrill from it and from what I understand, pictures of this event were taken and have been mailed to me, I can’t wait to see them. From what I was told by the Fire Department, they drive around every Christmas season with Santa Claus through the town to meet all the families and little boys and girls to wish them a Merry Christmas. This is a very generous and wonderful way to celebrate the Christmas season for our Community. They should be recognized for their efforts and give them a big thanks when you see them, they are true heroes. Closing this week’s column, I would again like to wish everyone a merry and safe Christmas Signing off until next week….. read archived articles | submit an article for review
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It is my favorite time of the year and there is nothing better than Christmas in New York! My Christmas wish is for my family to know how much I love them and miss them, have a wonderful Christmas and not worry about me for just one day! 