With Christmas less than 3 days away we're all dashing around getting that last minute shopping done, wrapping gifts, baking, cooking and attending office and family parties.
While we're racing around in the rush of all that needs to be done to get all the preparations ready for Christmas Day there are many famlies here in Active Rain and across the country who currently have a loved one in our Armed Forces who won't be home during this holiday season.
I've been through many holidays over the course of the past eight years when my son and brother were in either Afghanistan or Iraq and the feeling of emptiness our family shared when someone you love is so far away and the sense of loneliness they are experiencing thousands of miles away from home.
My son Bob can't be with us here in Connecticut this year but is stationed in Louisiana where he wlll be celebrating Christmas with his wife and daughters.
My brother David right now is on his way home on a bus from training in Indiana with the Connecticut National Guard for a 10-day Christmas leave before being deployed to Afghanistan early next year. My mom & I will be picking him up when the New Haven-based 102nd Infantry Regiment arrives back to Connecticut tomorrow morning.
My nephew Chrstopher is in the U.S. Navy stationed in Florida and will be with his wife and Dad (my brother) for Christmas before he is deployed sometime in January.
My nephew Mark just joined the U.S. Army and will be starting his basic training around mid-February. He drove down from New Hampshire with his new bride to spend Christmas with our family.
While I consider myself very fortunate to have them all here in the U.S. for the holidays, my thoughts and prayers are with all the families and friends who may have a loved one serving far from home this year. May God Bless you and keep you safe. We love you, support you and can never thank you enough for the sacrifices you have made to keep our country safe.
In 1986, James Schmidt who was a Lance Corporal in the U.S. Marine wrote a poem called "Merry Christmas, My Friend." The wording in the poem was changed slightly and recorded by Father Ted Berndt and has become known as "A Soldier's Silent Night." Father Berndt was a World War II Marine veteran and recipient of the Purple Heart. At the time of the recording his was a priest priest at Bread of Life Charismatic Episcopal Church in Dousman, Wisconsin.
This song is in deep appreciation of the courage and selfless sacrifices of our Veterans, our military and their famiies.
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Written and Posted by:
Donna Bigda - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Alliance - Branford, CT 06405
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