Friday, December 22, 2006

Christmas in the Sandbox

Christmas in the Sandbox















The weather this year has already been unkind to some travelers. People are not going to get to their destinations... families may not be together... presents may not be delivered on time. For those that do get where they want to be, they may be dreading the family foibles. All in all, there will be a great deal of fretting and anger about something that is out of our control.

While we are feeling sorry for ourselves, we need to stop and think about the fine young men and women who are deployed around the globe - many in harm's way. They will not be sharing Christmas with their families. They will not have a Christmas morning as we know it or the Christmas dinner with family and friends. But, unlike the rest of us, they will find a way to celebrate the day and the meaning of Christmas with the make shift Christmas trees, decorations cut out of cardboard, and Santa traveling in a flak jacket. They will attend the candlelight ceremonies. They will sing. They will pray. They will share their care packages with one another. They will be true to the meaning of the day.

God Bless You All on Christmas and Always.

The pictures are from my own collection sent by our adopted kids and from the military web sites. I hope you enjoy.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

These are GREAT pics FG!
These are special people who join an all volunteer Military. I am glad they get the chance to celebrate Christmas far away from home!
FTGF!

Mike's America said...

Ho Ho Ho! Those are great photos. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

great post and pics. Thanks for sharing!

Flag Gazer said...

Thank you for stopping by!
Merry Christmas to all of you!

Mike's America said...

Merry Christmas FG!

Anonymous said...

Great pics! Every picture I see from over there I look to see if my daughter is one of them :)

De'on Miller said...

Your writing and your photos are as beautiful as they are inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing this with us and for your devotion to our troops with your site. Anything we can do to encourage one another, our troops in particular, during these days ahead, we should do.

Steve and I discussed you last night, Flag Gazer, and we think you have put so much time and talent into your blog ...it really shows. Thank you for giving to those who give so much for us.

Douglas V. Gibbs said...

Great pics, and words of wisdom and solemn truth. Thanks. Merry Christmas.

Flag Gazer said...

Charlotte - We will keep special thoughts for her this season!!!

Douglass - Thank you!

May your Christmas be blessed!

Flag Gazer said...

De'on -
One of the best things about blogging is meeting people like you and Steve.

Thank you! Wishing you all a blessed Christmas.

Skye said...

Merry Christmas, Flag Gazer!

Thanks for posting the pictures and reminding us of the true meaning of Christmas.

De'on Miller said...

Had to come look at these again. Our troops are so good at making the best of things. The tiny stocking next to the photo of his child, what's more touching than that?