Thanks for sharing the letter from Kosovo. Our families hold us together regardless of how many miles separate us. This year I opted to stay home and let my wife and daughter take a bonding trip home to Malaysia and Taiwan. My daughter’s grandmother had a huge Christmas dinner and invited my daughter’s childhood friends, some she hasn’t seen in almost 20 years. The best presents are not always wrapped in shiny paper.
This was a year for me to just step back. They both called me on the day.
There is something different celebrating Christmas in a combat zone.
Most of your time there you can disconnect from your life back home, but that is a day it is impossible to ignore.
The brotherhood is always felt, but it is that moment you really feel like family. All missing home, yet all there for each other. It is such a mix of emotions, hard to describe.
May all those separated from family because of duty to a greater cause have a Merry Christmas.
And Merry Christmas John and thank you for the reminder as the rest of us are with family, within the warmth of our homes.
A wise one once said, "You gotta'a have something for you to look forward to." With your work and no small insights from your patrons, that box is checked. Cheers!
Another heart felt story John, thanks for sharing. We to often forget about the men and women serving in our military and the impact on them and their families.
John to you, thanks for all of your stories and updates in 2024. Merry Christmas to you and your wonderful family!
To our troops serving where ever they may be, GOD BLESS YOU and your families and THANK YOU for keeping us safe and for your service to our country!
John-Henry's comment brought it home for me. Two deployments 57 years ago and it seems like yesterday, familiar emotion. Merry Christmas and a new year with a lot of these kids home!
I really doubt you know how many people look forward to your publications. But I do know you do NOT put your work for all of us (fans) ahead of Anna and the girls. And rightly so. Merry Christmas
Another heart felt article John. Thank you for reminding us all that our military personnel are such giving and caring people especially during the Christmas season. To serve our country from a far while their families are home and secure is a true gift to us all. Merry Christmas John…to you and your family.
Great stuff John. It goes to show that in extreme circumstances, sometimes family are the people you are with right now. God Bless to all those serving over seas.
John, another great column. Interestingly, received a short video via FB today from a friend here in Silverton who is also stationed at Camp Bondsteel, a white Christmas message.
Thanks for a terrific column, John. And thanks to Mark for his service. It reminds me of being away from home when I was in the army. He’s right, too. Your buddies rely on you as you rely on their friendship to make the holidays a little easier. Merry Christmas to everybody!
The occasion is more important than the date, and am so thankful for this valiant soldier far from home reminding us of this. God Bless all our service men and women away from home at Christmas and always.
John, may you and your family have a beautiful and blessed Christmas. Write on.
Dear John
Thanks for sharing the letter from Kosovo. Our families hold us together regardless of how many miles separate us. This year I opted to stay home and let my wife and daughter take a bonding trip home to Malaysia and Taiwan. My daughter’s grandmother had a huge Christmas dinner and invited my daughter’s childhood friends, some she hasn’t seen in almost 20 years. The best presents are not always wrapped in shiny paper.
This was a year for me to just step back. They both called me on the day.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Steve
Love this
Beautiful Steve.
Thanks James
Love this Steve!!! What a great event!!
“Our families of origin are a powerful force, aren’t they?”
You’re a gift to your readers, John. You’re a bigger gift to your wife and daughters, John. A powerful and gentle force.
Thank you James. Means a lot. Merry Christmas everyone...
There is something different celebrating Christmas in a combat zone.
Most of your time there you can disconnect from your life back home, but that is a day it is impossible to ignore.
The brotherhood is always felt, but it is that moment you really feel like family. All missing home, yet all there for each other. It is such a mix of emotions, hard to describe.
May all those separated from family because of duty to a greater cause have a Merry Christmas.
And Merry Christmas John and thank you for the reminder as the rest of us are with family, within the warmth of our homes.
Thanks for this J
Makes my day...thanks for the gift. Sends me into my 80th tomorrow feelin' real good! Cheers, folks!
Happy Birthday
A wise one once said, "You gotta'a have something for you to look forward to." With your work and no small insights from your patrons, that box is checked. Cheers!
Cheers to 80 my good man!!!
have a very happy birthday. I'm right behind you.
For whatever reasons, we're survivors and it's great to be here. Cheers!
Another heart felt story John, thanks for sharing. We to often forget about the men and women serving in our military and the impact on them and their families.
John to you, thanks for all of your stories and updates in 2024. Merry Christmas to you and your wonderful family!
To our troops serving where ever they may be, GOD BLESS YOU and your families and THANK YOU for keeping us safe and for your service to our country!
Thanks David
John-Henry's comment brought it home for me. Two deployments 57 years ago and it seems like yesterday, familiar emotion. Merry Christmas and a new year with a lot of these kids home!
Thank you Dan
I really doubt you know how many people look forward to your publications. But I do know you do NOT put your work for all of us (fans) ahead of Anna and the girls. And rightly so. Merry Christmas
Awww thanks Cheryl
Home Run John, now I have glassy eyes too, Merry Christmas and thank you to all of those serving in any capacity to keep us safe!
Thank you Matt
Another heart felt article John. Thank you for reminding us all that our military personnel are such giving and caring people especially during the Christmas season. To serve our country from a far while their families are home and secure is a true gift to us all. Merry Christmas John…to you and your family.
Appreciate you Chris
Great stuff John. It goes to show that in extreme circumstances, sometimes family are the people you are with right now. God Bless to all those serving over seas.
Thanks for being here
You as well.
John, another great column. Interestingly, received a short video via FB today from a friend here in Silverton who is also stationed at Camp Bondsteel, a white Christmas message.
Merry Christmas to you and your family. 🎄
Love that.
Perfect for today, John. Loved hearing about his Father, too
Amazing how our family of origin shapes us… long after we even are aware
Thanks for a terrific column, John. And thanks to Mark for his service. It reminds me of being away from home when I was in the army. He’s right, too. Your buddies rely on you as you rely on their friendship to make the holidays a little easier. Merry Christmas to everybody!
Thanks Monte
Great gift indeed John. And I thank you for sharing it. Merry Christmas to you, Anna and your beautiful girls🎄
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas to all our deployed military people, protecting our nation! Thank you for your service, especially on a day like today.
The occasion is more important than the date, and am so thankful for this valiant soldier far from home reminding us of this. God Bless all our service men and women away from home at Christmas and always.
John, may you and your family have a beautiful and blessed Christmas. Write on.
Thanks Jill. Appreciate that you are here.