Dear Friends,
This year has brought so many emotional moments, both good and bad. We are free to recount them to ourselves because we stand protected by the heroes of our armed forces who risk _their_ lives to save our lives.
This week a nation grieved after hearing news of a terrorist attack on a U.S. Army mess hall in the Iraqi city of Mosul. Hundreds of U.S. troops and Iraqi government forces were gathered for lunch when the attack occurred. Dozens were killed.
An Al Qaeda affiliate, Ansar al-sunna army, claimed responsibility for the attack, which causes problems for the American news media as they have repeatedly claimed that no links exist between Al Qaeda and Iraq.
(During the recent military operation in Fallujah, coalition forces came across the headquarters of Al Qaeda's operation in Iraq. But, most journalists did their best to treat this news with minimal attention).
This does a disservice to the men and women of our armed forces.
Our troops are risking life and limb to serve on a mission that is designed to make America safer by breaking the back of Islamic extremists who use terrorism against American civilians to advance their violent agenda.
And unlike so many great powers before us, the military of the United States is one that goes into combat not to acquire land, territory, or power, but to liberate people, defend our own nation, and repel the threats to free and peaceful people around the globe.
Unfortunately, at times certain elements of the news media have seemed to be rooting for U.S. troops to fail in Iraq and Afghanistan. In the days leading up to the death of the 1,000th U.S. serviceman/woman in Iraq, the media treated it like it was the countdown to a major sporting event or celebrity trial verdict.
Anti-war protestors in cities across America and in some of the supposedly "enlightened" capitols of "Old Europe" decried the actions of coalition forces and denounced what they said was an unjust war which was nothing more than an excuse for oil companies in the U.S. to secure larger stockpiles of crude.
One would think by now that our troops would have had enough of the ridicule and the second-guessing. But, they keep pressing forward, doing their job and laying it all on the line.
How do our troops feel about being away from their families at Christmas?
"I'm with my soldiers, I'm with the people of Baghdad, and right now that's my family. So I'm very happy," Brigadier Gen. Jeffery Hammond, of the 1st Cavalry Division told the Associated Press.
"Christmas is in your heart, it's in your spirit and you celebrate it wherever it's at," Staff Sergeant Merrion La Sonde said.
"And we're here in Iraq and we're able to, maybe, share a little bit of our Christmas spirit, which is basically just the love and partnership and friendship with everybody."
They really are amazing, these men and women of uniform.
This holiday season many of us will endure long lines at stores. There will be a countless airport delays. Our relatives and friends will at times be a source of frustration or aggravation. But we must remember how inconsequential these irritants are in contrast to what so many of our fellow countrymen and women are enduring.
And it is especially helpful to realize why it is these men and women of the United States Armed Forces endure the hardships they endure. Their love for their country and their belief that her greatness makes all the sacrifices worth it, allows them to persevere undeterred.
Whether Christian, Jew, Muslim or other religion, they know that in the United States of America they can practice their religion freely.
While watching the political pundits, and far left activists malign the mission they are serving in, they know that in the United States of America the people are free to rally together to support them and to help report on the successes they are achieving.
The men and women in our Armed Forces know that when they return home endless opportunity will await them. If they have a dream or a passion they wish to pursue, they are free to do so and, if they apply themselves fully, only the sky will serve as a limitation on how much success they achieve.
And our troops know that the United States of America is a generous nation. No matter what the challenge, the United States has throughout history risen to the occasion to stand as the protector of people who wish to achieve freedom and live in peace.
No matter how much some individuals in Ivory Towers in foreign nations may mock us, these "bash America" pundits know deep in their hearts that if their peaceful and free nation ever stands threatened, it will be the men and women of the military of the United States of America who will come to their rescue.
And so here we are, a nation that is in the midst of celebrating Christmas, Hanukah, or some other religious holiday and our nation is peaceful and free.
We have the liberty to gather with family and friends to practice and observe our faith this season, and that is such a splendid gift that we Americans enjoy. It's a gift that doesn't come from politicians or Santa Claus, or a department store.
Rather it comes from somewhere deep within the heart of a U.S. serviceman or woman standing in a cold, rainy or snowy desert eating freeze-dried food, hoping to make it back home to their families alive, but willing to protect our freedoms, no matter the threat they themselves may face.
Please join both of us in dedicating at least a brief moment this holiday season to honor the men and women of our armed forces. Every moment of happiness that you enjoy this season has been made possible because of their sacrifices, and those of generations before them who served in the military of the United States.
They deserve nothing but our deepest respect, gratitude and appreciation.
As we are both practicing Christians, we would like to wish you and your families a MERRY CHRISTMAS. And if you observe another faith, may your holiday celebration be a cherished time spent with family and friends.
With warmest regards,
Howard Kaloogian & Melanie Morgan
Co-Founders and Co-Chairmen, Move America Forward
http://www.MoveAmericaForward.org
