Hi Will,
Glad to hear from you again. I was getting worried. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. As many people say, Jesus is the reason for the season. I agree that Christmas has gotten way too commercialized, and seems to go on forever. It's pretty pathetic when the stores start putting Christmas stuff up before Halloween! Many people are thinking of the sacrifices you all make for our freedom. I'll never take that for granted. Hang in there and stay safe.

Merry Christmas Will, to you and all the other soldiers over there who are away from their loved ones. I hope the new year sees you home again. God Bless.

Happy New Year! Hope this coming year will bring peace to all. Stay as safe as you can!

So good to hear from you Will.
I agree Christmas is about the sacarfices Jesus went through for all of us.
Stay safe.
Happy New Year to you and all of the troops over there.

Jan

Happy New Year - and thanks for the reminder. We all need that nudge every once in a while.

Merry christmas and a happy new year to you all, you are doing a great job and even if it doesn't feel like it most of the time, the work you do is appreciated! Stay safe...

Hey Will,
...toc,toc..., :-( Where has the letter of the 23 december got to?Today,30 december:here it,we have found it!!!!It's true that those are days of holidays but this play isn't liked us,beh we aren't worry now :-).
Dear Santa Claus,we have very things to ask you.We know that you receive many letters,please it's very important:can you make the wish to Jesus.And considered that it's beautiful to be good,can you fill up of very love.Thank you very much.
A great kiss all
WISH
Adriana and Milena

The people you are talking about are not "heathen". They have a religion that all good Americans ought to respect.
Nor are most of them terrorists.
And if they are becoming terrorists - ask why. Is it because Americans are killing their children?
Wouldn't you fight back if an occupying army was on your land?

Hello Will,
ando so today is the end other year,excuse but we have little time now for tell you the past year between beautiful ad ugly memories that however we'll forget.We think to the beautiful things of the present.You know there is a type that lives farway of us and he writes many time on the internet and he make happy us with his stories and his company,if you know him greeting and thanks him and you tell him:to midnight we drink together?...CIN,CIN....Wish a very happy year.
P.S.:tonight we'll be to Milan to drink in front of a beautiful Church on the world the 'Duomo'.We hope that it snow.
Happy 2004 all and your family.
Milena and Adriana

For those of us who don't believe in Christianity yet still celebrate Christmas, it's a time for family and loving our neighbors. Don't leave us out!

P.S. The person above has a good point about them not being heathens.

No, not all are heathens but some are. We can respect their choice of religion but can also fault those that interpret it for their own glory - same can be said for all religions so don't start blasting me on that one as I didn't specify any religion in there.

Will - hope you have a Happy New Year with some faux champagne to celebrate with. We will have a toast in your honor here back at home.

To all the faithful posters on this site whom I've gotten to "know" over the past year, to the Captain who let us all come together and to Will's folks who made it all possible in the first place - Happy New Year to you all.

Happy New Year SGT. and to all your charges. Keep safe, warm, and dry. Have you trained those replacements yet? Come home soon.

Thanks for a great job.

A soldier's mom,

Everyone! Will was _joking_ about the "heathen terrorists!" JOKING. He does not believe they are heathen. Nor does he believe they are all terrorists.

It's nice if Jesus can be there for you, but that's not my flavor and he did nothing for me. And I think Will can respect that.

As to fighting back an occupying army in your land ... well ... that's flame bait anyway. Duly ignored.

Hi Will,
These two stories were sent to me and I thought you might enjoy reading them.
God bless you and Happy New Year!

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the town Not a sign of
Baby Jesus was anywhere to be found. The people were all busy with
Christmas time chores Like decorating, and baking, and shopping in
stores. No one sang "Away In A Manger, No Crib For A Bed." Instead, they
sang of Santa dressed up in bright red. Mama watched Martha Stewart,
Papa drank beer from a tap, As hour upon hour the presents they'd wrap.
When what from the TV did they suddenly hear? 'Cept an ad which told of
a big sale at Sears. So away to the mall they all flew in a flash Buying
things on credit and others with cash! And as they made their way home
from their trip to the mall, Did they think about Jesus? Oh no, not at
all. Their lives were so busy with their Christmas time things No time
to remember Christ Jesus, The King. There were presents to wrap and
cookies to bake, How could they stop and remember who died for their
sake? To pray to the Savior...they had no time to stop, Because they
needed more time to "Shop till they dropped!" On Wal-mart! On K-mart! On
Target! On Penny's! On Hallmark! On Zales! A quick lunch at Denny's.
From the big stores downtown to the stores at the mall, They would dash
away, dash away, and visit them all. And up on the roof there arose such
a clatter, As grandpa hung icicle lights up on his new step ladder. He
hung lights that would flash, he hung lights that would twirl, Yet, he
never once prayed to Jesus...Light of the World. Christ's eyes...how
they twinkle! Christ's Spirit...how merry! Christ's heart...how
enormous! All our burdens...He'll carry! So instead of being busy.
overworked, and uptight, Let's put Christ back in Christmas and enjoy
some good nights.

This morning I heard a story on the radio of a woman who was out Christmas shopping with her two children. After many hours of looking at row after row of toys and everything else imaginable. And after hours of hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally made it to the elevator with her two kids.

She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season time of the year. Overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, getting that perfect gift for every single person on our shopping list, making sure we don't forget anyone on our card list, and the pressure of making sure werespond to everyone who sent us a card.

Finally the elevator doors opened and there was already a crowd in the elevator. She pushed her way into the car and dragged her two kids in with her and all the bags of stuff. When the doors closed she couldn't take it anymore and stated, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up and shot."

From the back of the car everyone heard a quiet calm voice respond, "Don't worry we already crucified him." For the rest of the trip down the elevator it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.

Don't forget this year to keep the One who started this whole Christmas thing in your every thought, deed, purchase, and word. If we all did it, just think of how different this whole world would be.

Happy New Year Will - and to all of the regular readers!

I will really miss your informative postings when you come home. I've read every one of them to my guy - he now has a better idea of the perils (and Stupidity) that await him. I know it's been a really tough holiday season for all of you over there and your families; it's been a really sad one for the replacements' families too.

I pray that everyone makes it home safe and sound!