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.
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!
Posted by: wordsmith | December 25, 2005 at 08:25 PM
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
Posted by: bethtopaz | December 25, 2005 at 10:05 PM
Guess I'm a little late with this, but Merry Christmas, Maj! Y'all were in our homes & hearts this weekend.
Posted by: MissBirdlegs in AL | December 26, 2005 at 12:07 AM
Merry Christmas Major K... Merry Christmas to all the Troops too......
AubreyJ.........
Posted by: AubreyJ | December 26, 2005 at 12:42 AM
Merry Christmas, MajK.
And may the next one be with your wife and child.
Posted by: Edward | December 26, 2005 at 01:40 AM
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.
Posted by: AFSister | December 26, 2005 at 07:11 AM
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.
Posted by: Streeter | December 26, 2005 at 08:05 AM
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.
Posted by: Gypsy | December 26, 2005 at 08:10 AM
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.
Posted by: Chevy Rose | December 26, 2005 at 08:13 AM
Merry Christmas, Major K. Thank you so much for what all of you are doing.
Posted by: Politics of a Patriot | December 26, 2005 at 09:08 AM
Merry Christmas Sir, and thank you for all you do.
Posted by: David M | December 26, 2005 at 04:22 PM
Belated Merry Christmas, Major.
We're getting ready for our babysitting duties ;-)
Uncle G.
Posted by: g | December 26, 2005 at 07:06 PM
God Bless and keep up the great work.
Merry Belated Christmas and Happy New Year!
Always in our thoughts and prayers~
Posted by: Jeremy | December 26, 2005 at 10:53 PM
Maybe the Iraqis would be more peaceful if they didn't all have toothache from eating candies and drinking sweetened chai.
Posted by: Don Cox | December 26, 2005 at 11:53 PM
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.
Posted by: kat-missouri | December 27, 2005 at 03:32 AM
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
Posted by: PebblePie | December 27, 2005 at 06:05 AM
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.
Posted by: Maggie45 | December 27, 2005 at 07:59 AM
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. :)
Posted by: Rosemary | December 27, 2005 at 03:39 PM
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!
Posted by: Dawn Pletcher | December 27, 2005 at 05:57 PM
Merry Christmas a bit late bro! We are so proud of you. Come home soon and safe- Ginny and all
Posted by: ginny | December 27, 2005 at 07:45 PM
We are the ones in whom gratitude wells. Thank YOU sir, for your service to our country!
Posted by: Fyodor Garibaldi | December 27, 2005 at 09:00 PM
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.
Posted by: David Oatney | December 28, 2005 at 05:17 AM
A belated Merry Christmas.I want pictures of that Santa!
Posted by: Greta (Hooah Wife) | December 28, 2005 at 07:57 AM
Merry Christmas to you and yours, stay safe out there!
Posted by: Sean | December 29, 2005 at 02:26 AM
Best wishes to you and the "guys"! Stay safe and stay strong!
Posted by: Anna | December 31, 2005 at 05:29 AM