Bing Crosby crooning, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” every 15 minutes in malls and elevators and grocery stores
is bringing some Americans to tears this season.  Yet most people go about their shopping, buying, wrapping,
cooking and partying with hardly a thought for these fellow citizens or our troops suffering far from home.  For
2,000+ families of casualties counted and many more uncounted, being all together for Christmas is something
that will never happen again. Thousands more are struggling to help their maimed veterans find some hope in
the holiday season.  Still thousands more families are going through the holiday motions while their hearts and
minds are tortured with worry for their loved ones still serving in harm’s way.

All many of these families ask is that America take pause and remember.  When your feet hurt from shopping,
think of our troops who have lost legs and arms.  When you’re stressed about friends and families visiting,
remember our soldiers who have not seen their families for many long months.   When you struggle to find
presents for your children, think of the parents who will never buy their sons or daughters another present. As
you gather to celebrate familiar cultural and family traditions, think of those serving in a foreign, often hostile
environment.  When greeting cards arrive with dreamy angels proclaiming “Peace on Earth”, take a moment to
consider what you personally and we as a nation have done to make that a reality.

By all means, enjoy this season of love and peace.  At some point in your preparations and festivities, take a
moment to remember that throughout our country and far across the globe, many families are not able to share
in the joy.  It’s very hard to think of war and death and pain at such a happy time, but this is when it is needed the
most.  When you make your new year’s resolutions, think about what you can do to support our troops 2006.  
Resolve to take some kind of action to end the war, bring them home.   Make that commitment to them as they
have laid their lives on the line for you.  

Annette Pritchard
Aunt of PFC William Ramirez, KIA Baghdad 2/04
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BING CROSBY CROONING