Venite Adoremus

It has been a usual day here, although I did get a few extra hours off.  I went to Midnight Mass last night and the chapel was packed.  Chow was a little better than usual, and I had a long telephone coversation with my beautiful Wife, who indulged me by singing Silent Night to me in spanish.  That was the best present that I could have received. 

I brought several boxes of See's Candy into the TOC today that were sent by my family, and presented them to the Iraqi Soldiers and Officers - Did I mention this whole country has a huge sweet tooth? They each had several pieces which they enjoted thoroughly and wished me a Merry Christmas.  I found that somewhat surprising and heartwarming that the Iraqis were the ones to initiate Christmas greetings.  I also shared the candy with the rest of the US MiTT Advisors, so it did not last long.

Although it is obviously Christmas, as evidenced by the decorations that have proliferated all over the FOB in the past few weeks, it never feels quite that way unless I am home.  There are lights decorating the trailers of many troops, fake trees and even an inflatable snowman in front of a company command post.  There is even a Nativity Scene out in front of the main chow hall - don't tell the ACLU... By far the funniest thing I have seen was a Soldier dressed up as Santa manning the gun-turret of an up-armored HMMWV as it drove across the FOB.  He was waving and shouting Christmas greetings to all of the troops, who could not help staring and laughing.  As I stood in the back of the chapel, thinking about the past year, and my impending return to the US in a few weeks, I felt a sense of peace I have not felt in many months.  It is amazing Christmas always does that to me, in spite of where I am.  One feeling continues to well up within me looking back on the last year - gratitude.  Merry Christmas!  Peace on Earth.  Goodwill toward men.  God Bless us, every one.

Comments

[wordsmith]

Thank you very much for your service! Merry Christmas to everyone! Especially to all those men and women, civilian and military, Iraqi and non, working hard to build a country that will flourish and one in which we can call an ally in the continuing war against terrorism.

I feel sorry for anyone who gets on the bad list of that Santa manning the gun-turret!

[bethtopaz]

Major K -- Merry Christmas to you and all the troops. Here's a great article about our heroes today from, of all places, the LA Times! Enjoy unwrapping it!! Thanks for protecting us!

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-goodwill24dec24,0,907472.story?coll=la-home-headlines

[MissBirdlegs in AL]

Guess I'm a little late with this, but Merry Christmas, Maj! Y'all were in our homes & hearts this weekend.

[AubreyJ]

Merry Christmas Major K... Merry Christmas to all the Troops too......
AubreyJ.........

[Edward]

Merry Christmas, MajK.
And may the next one be with your wife and child.

[AFSister]

Peace.
It's a great feeling, isn't it?

I have a special friend in my life who calms me, centers me, and brings me more peace than I ever thought possible. It's absolutely amazing.

I know it wasn't a normal Christmas for you, but... oh man... the homecoming you'll receive in a few weeks will be outstanding!

Be safe, Major, and Merry Christmas.

[Streeter]

Major, thanks to you and all the milbloggers I have been able to take what I thought were very difficult problems in my life and handle them in surprisingly easy ways. Your posting on the real problems of war make home life so much easier to deal with. Once again, all I can say is thanks to you and PLEASE thank every troop you come in contact with. We think them all to be Heros. My x-mas was better because of milbloggers. Our world is better because of you and your men. Again, please pass the message on.

[Gypsy]

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Major K, to you and all our Military and their families. I'm happy to hear you will soon be reunited with your family and loved ones, may God keep you safe.

[Chevy Rose]

Merry Christmas to you and your buddies as well. We included you all in our blessing today at lunch. We will never forget that our freedoms and safety is dependent on your courage and sacrifice. God bless and wishing for a wonderful New Year.

[Politics of a Patriot]

Merry Christmas, Major K. Thank you so much for what all of you are doing.

[David M]

Merry Christmas Sir, and thank you for all you do.

[g]

Belated Merry Christmas, Major.

We're getting ready for our babysitting duties ;-)

Uncle G.

[Jeremy]

God Bless and keep up the great work.

Merry Belated Christmas and Happy New Year!

Always in our thoughts and prayers~

[Don Cox]

Maybe the Iraqis would be more peaceful if they didn't all have toothache from eating candies and drinking sweetened chai.

[kat-missouri]

Sorry I'm so late, but I hope you all had the best christmas you could have, the food was good and you got a few packages that Santa flew with extra special care.

[PebblePie]

Oh I would of loved t see a pic of the Santa Soldier...
And a song from wife... so nice!

Daughter just now in her first few weeks of basic... Called Christmas and was so proud to tell me she hasn't cried once...lol

How cold is it there?

Warm Regards,

Pebble

[Maggie45]

God bless you, your wife, and your son. I pray for you all every day. Thank you so much for all you do for us here at home.

[Rosemary]

Merry Christmas Major K. I'm very happy your wife sang such a beautiful song to you. I pray for all of your men and women to be victorious.

Thank you so much for your service. :)

[Dawn Pletcher]

Thank you and God Bless You Major K & your family & buddies for all you sacrifice every day so we can live in freedom in the USA! Best wishes for PEACE, JOY, GOOD HEALTH, & PROSPERITY in 2005!
GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS, OUR VETS, & THEIR FAMILIES!

[ginny]

Merry Christmas a bit late bro! We are so proud of you. Come home soon and safe- Ginny and all

[Fyodor Garibaldi]

We are the ones in whom gratitude wells. Thank YOU sir, for your service to our country!

[David Oatney]

Merry Christmas Major K...I do hope you'll continue to keep your blog going after you return home...we'd love to hear more from you.

[Greta (Hooah Wife)]

A belated Merry Christmas.I want pictures of that Santa!

[Sean]

Merry Christmas to you and yours, stay safe out there!

[Anna]

Best wishes to you and the "guys"! Stay safe and stay strong!