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Home Capital District Family Now Senior Spotlight Senior Columns

Veteran Next Door: Christmas presence

Spotlight News by Spotlight News
December 1, 2015
in Senior Columns, Senior Spotlight
Reading Time: 3 mins read

Words that sound the same but have different meanings are known as homonyms. The children always find it as fun learning. It shows that English in school is a very important subject and you need it for a lifetime. Words like write-right, sale-sail and dear-deer can make a big difference, especially during the holiday season.

The month of December, even starting in November, life takes on the sights, sounds and financing of Christmas presents for loved one.  The thought of family, giving and a time to reflect on the holy time of Christmas raises your spirits.

As the holiday season arrives, military families with a member away for Christmas experience a unique encounter. It is even more difficult time if the service person is in harm’s way. To those families, something is missing and not having their loved ones in their presence is very stressful and discouraging. Writing letters, sending texts, emails or other more modern methods have eased to a degree the “missing you.”

Mom’s best cookies, cupcakes and the sincere wishes of holiday spirit means so much to the troops. However, every single family would love to have the best present of all — the presence of the person away from home. Our current military personnel are the moms and dads, brothers and sisters or a favorite family relative or friend. It is no longer like the traditional sons and daughters away for Christmas like the veterans of World War II, Korea or Vietnam. A real family present would be the presence of the loved one “coming home for Christmas.” 

No matter where a person is deployed, many people and organizations help with presents for those who are not in our presence. The Blue Star Mothers work to box presents to send all over the world. Also, “Cards for Our Troops” sends thousands of Christmas cards to military personnel.

It is so disheartening to hear that some troops may not receive anything in the mail except these BSM boxes or the “Cards for the Troops.” A thought of going without a present, a card or having your presence not missed is very demoralizing in this day and age. Our great country sends people all over the world to help countries and keep us safe here at home. Still, today, some service people are alone during the Christmas time.   

As history has shown us, even in the thick of the conflict, troops always formed their bonds of holiday observations and camaraderie. It has become so touching for us here at home to see. The troops form friendships and memories, and they make the best of “not being home.”

As we schedule our special parties and Christmas dinners, we become more excited about that special person who attends rather than receiving presents. The memory of the party always last longer than the tie or after shave lotion you receive. This holiday season, try to concentrate and appreciate the people whose presence you don’t see often.

Have a merry, joyous holiday season, and may the people in your presence be the best presents.

Tags: ChristmasVeteran Next Doorveterans
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