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Baghdad Hello Long Island!
Thanks to many Americans back at home, we have thoroughly decorated our work area with Christmas trees, lights, and decorations. For the Soldiers that celebrate Christmas, our holiday event planners have organized numerous activities to kick off the 12 days of Christmas. Included in these 12 days will be a talent show, a small concert (performed by soldiers) to include guitars, drums, and a chorus, and many holiday movies.
Through the help of the "My Soldier" Program, we are currently coordinating with the NBC Today Show for a possible filming of my Company, corresponding with a sixth grade class in upstate New York. I have spoken to a member of their staff and we are waiting for approval from our Public Relations Section. I do not have any more details as of now but will keep everyone informed should this filming take place.
If I can switch topics for one moment, I would like to congratulate and recognize a "Hometown Hero". Lance Corporal Michael Daniels (US Marine Corps), a graduate of Westhampton Beach High School and an Infantryman for 1st Marine Division out of Camp Pendleton, California was awarded the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a "V" Device (for valor) for actions he displayed during his deployment here in Iraq. LCpl Daniels has seen "up close and personal" combat in Najaf and I also believe in Fallujah (I could be wrong about Fallujah however). His picture was featured in the NY Times on more than one occasion. He was here last year when combat began in Iraq, and is here again for a few more months. LCpl Daniels has experienced some of the toughest fighting yet. Congratulation LCpl Daniels and keep your head down! This is a very significant month for us over here, Christmas is approaching, Hanukkah has begun, and on December 15th, the Iraqi people will conduct their voter registration. For most Iraqi citizens, voter registration is the greatest gift anyone could ask for! The ability for their voice to be heard and their vote count is what some Americans not only take for granted but also decline to exercise. It is a monumental event for them and I hope that maximum participation will set the pace for their upcoming election day. We have it so easy in the United States being able to simply register by mail or simply, without fear for our life go in person to register. The people of Iraq wish to be free so much that by simply registering to vote could cost them their life but count on them attending this registration in mass numbers. These people relish the thought of being free and having the power to determine their future, it is by no means a burden or inconvenience for them. I think we, as Americans should revisit our constitutional rights and never take our liberty for granted! Regardless of the diverse belief in the reason why we are here in Iraq, we need to embrace these people and guide them along to a better way of life, it is the right thing to do. Closing this week’s column out, I would once again like to thank everyone for their support especially so close to the holidays and know that we are all doing well over here and will get through this the way we have the past 9 months, leaning on each other and our families for support. My next column will cover our Christmas events in more depth and how the Iraqi voter registration went. Have a wonderful holiday season and be safe! Until Next Time…….Be safe and take care of yourselves! SGT Shawn Wilkins read archived articles | submit an article for review
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This week I would like to dedicate my column to all of you back at home that show a tremendous amount of support to us over here. The holiday season is upon us and the support from everyone back at home is very heartwarming. We have received many care packages and greeting cards from all over America. There are two support groups that contact us on a regular basis, "My Soldier" and "Soldiers Angels" many people not belonging to a support group contact us as well. I have been flooded with packages, letters, cards, and emails that have been distributed among the soldiers in my Company. We have received everything from "goodies" to Christmas decorations, to clothing. 
As a Company, we plan to have another one of our Film Festivals and gift exchanging. Our Battalion has only one Jewish Soldier and he has received a menorah for his Hanukkah celebration. Until recently I never understood the meaning of Hanukkah or the meaning of the candle lighting. 1LT Schwab (our Executive Officer) thoroughly explained the traditions and meaning of not only Hanukkah but also Judaism in general. It was a very educational experience for me and for him as well to share with me. Of all 8 years that I have served in the military, this will be my first Christmas away from home. We are all very homesick during this holiday season but are making the best of it! Because there are not many gifts available for purchase here, we have selected some of the items sent to us in care packages, wrapped them, and will hand them out as Christmas and Hanukkah gifts. We are very fortunate to have so many people showing their support for us and we are very grateful to have the support that we do. 
Because of all the care packages we are receiving, my Company and another Battalion have joined efforts to ensure that all soldiers here on our Camp are afforded the items that are sent to us by opening up a centralized storage room. It is a wonderful feeling knowing that many soldiers that do not or cannot find much needed items can come by and grab whatever they need without costing them anything. It also builds camaraderie between our two Battalions that otherwise we would barely know. 
Roy Bittel from the Hampton Bays Fire Department has been corresponding with me on a regular basis. Mr. Bittel, his fellow firefighters, and students from Hampton Bays have been collecting much needed care package items for all of us here and I cannot tell them enough how much we appreciate them. It is always nice to hear encouraging words from our youth. Whether some people agree or disagree with the reason why we are here, it is important that our youth have a voice and at least understand the events taking place in the world. 