Christmas 2007

This was perhaps the most meaningful and memorable Christmas ever. I spent Christmas with my daughter who lives in another state. After watching a segment on the local news about soldiers going to Iraq on Christmas Eve and Christmas day, we decided to go to the airport and show our support. After we opened our gifts on Christmas morning, we jumped into our car and headed to the airport. It was a cold, rainy, dreary day and the airport was full of holiday travelers. We positioned ourselves near the USO so we could see the soldiers going to their waiting area . As the soldiers stepped onto the escalator, my daughters and I gave them each a pencil for letter writing, and thanked them for their service to our country. The faces of the soldiers' lit up with gratitude. One soldier in particular looked at us and said, "Thank you for being here today, I am so glad you are here." Another soldier said, thank you, you will never know how much this means to me today." As the soldiers left the USO, everyone in the atrium of the airport stood and applauded the soldiers as they went to board their flight. My heart was filled with both sadness and pride. Sadness,because these young men and women were going to a war zone on Christmas day. Pride, because they were willing to give up their Christmas, so I could enjoy Christmas with my family. Wow, what a sacrifice. If you see a service member wandering in the airport this Christmas season. Please stop and say, Thank You......