A Different Kind of Christmas

This will be my Christmas letter home to all of you. I just wanted to take some time to share with you the experiences of a soldier deployed at Christmas time. Not because we believe we have been forgotten while you all are enjoying your holidays together, not because we don't believe what we are doing is important, but because we wanted each of you to know how proud we are as soldiers of the United States of America to fight for something we believe in.

Some of us wear the uniform from the Navy, some from the Army, then there are those that proudly wear the uniform of the Marines and the Air Force. We are all here, different uniforms, different branches, but all one military. We are one, one that proudly serve, proudly protect and proudly die for our country and its citizens.

As the holiday's approach thoughts of home and family fill our hearts and minds more so then usual. How we all wish we could spend our holiday season with them, but understand and accept that we have a job to do to allow you all at home to have the freedom to celebrate in safety.

The care packages and cards are arriving daily from friends, family and acquaintances, as well as strangers expressing their gratitude and love for us all over here in the sand. That is a huge Christmas gift. Something that will stay with us forever, something that doesn't need to be unwrapped to be seen, felt or understood.

A holiday dinner is schedule for the troops here. Some of us will go to a special dinner and presentation set up by the locals, others will celebrate within their own camps, and still there are others of us that celebrate on the front lines, eating our meals from packages heated up in heaters filled with water. These are called MRE's (meals ready to eat). Not mommas cooking in the least, but food just the same.

I've been here before, 14 years ago, so I already know what to expect. I'm concerned about the new recruits, as this will be their first Christmas away from home. Already, I have been getting questions pertaining to our duties on Christmas day. Our work day never ends, even while we sleep we are alert to what's going on around us.

At times we try to re-connect with home, sharing stories of our families, friends and experiences. But there is still a sadness deep within, even if we are sharing laughter over some of the stories. Our hearts forever yearning for the safety and stability of our homes and families. And yet, it's a comfort to know that the effort we put forth here is to allow you, the citizen's of the United States of America, to go to work, to go shopping, to celebrate in your homes, to do it without the threat of war in our own back yards.

As I look around me and see the houses, buildings and schools that were destroyed by the effects of war, I am forever grateful that I grew up in America. As I see the citizen's here fight for freedom of speech, I am forever grateful that I am an American. As I see the children begging soldiers for food, I am forever grateful I am American.

I grew up in the church, attending services every Sunday. It was expected of us to read the Bible and share the word. Just the other day, it occurred to me that I am standing in the very place that our Lord and Savior had walked so long ago. I am fighting in country that has been at war for thousands of years. I am in the place that our Lord was crucified and died.

The sting of the sand helps me remember.

This, is Christmas. This, the sand of the middle east, this sand that blows across our faces. This sand that many thousands of years of war had blood shed here. The blowing drifting sand of the middle east, this is Christmas.

Not the snow covered hills of Iowa, not the stories of Santa Claus delivering gifts to good boys and girls. Not the decorated and lighted pine trees we have in our homes. But here, here over 2000 years ago where Jesus Christ was born. Here, where He died and was raised to come again.

How could we have forgotten so easy? How did Christ leave Christmas? When did Happy Holiday's become the norm, so we do not offend those that do not believe in Christ? Am I sorry that I believe? If not then why should I care if you, that don't and are offended by my belief, when you are not offended to pass on me your beliefs?

Yes, I am a soldier of the American military, and I am proud at what I do. But I do believe that I am a soldier in God's army first and must fight even more to defend His name, His honor and His son...Jesus Christ. He is the reason for the season.