Guest Opinion

By JACK EVENSIZER

Press correspondent

In 2008, President George W. Bush penned an agreement with the Iraqi government calling for all U.S. forces to be withdrawn by Dec. 31, 2011. After being in Iraq since March 2003, it looks like our troops will be home for Christmas, leaving a small force of 150-200 for security at the U.S. Embassy, as is the case wherever we have an Embassy.

So, troopers... WELCOME HOME!

Whether you have spent time stateside or in hostile fire zones, the loneliness and thoughts of home prevail, even though you are surrounded by comrades in arms, relating stories of Christmas festivities with family and friends.

At Hayden Meadows Elementary Veterans Day assembly, principal Lisa Pica presented a PowerPoint pictorial review, prepared by students and staff, of veterans who are relatives of students at the school. Pictures and names of more than 30 moms, dads, uncles, fathers and grandfathers who spent time away from home and families in service to their country were pared with their offspring at the school. She thanked all of us veterans for our service.

The Sorenson Elementary choir accompanied their PowerPoint presentation of veterans with a stunning rendition of "American Tears," making it a very heartfelt experience. Kinder Centers' Principal Vicki Loberg told us at their Veterans Day assembly filled with patriotic songs performed by the kindergartners, that there are 24 million veterans in America. Some 15,000 live right here. It's a good bet to say that virtually all of them have missed holidays, birthdays and other special occasions at home while defending our country.

Many have spent Christmas in combat zones. Just ask soldiers of our 116th CAV who recently returned from Iraq, some for their second deployment, and Hayden's 455th Engineer Company how lonely it is without family at this time of year.

And don't forget about the freezing foxholes in Korea, and "The Battle of the Bulge," the German incursion into allied lines, on Dec. 16, 1944, to Jan. 25, 1945. By Dec. 21, the Germans surrounded the Belgium town of Bastogne, defended by our 101st Airborne, who were short on food, ammo and medical supplies. The German Commander, Heinrich Freiherr von Luttwitz demanded surrender. General Anthony McAuliffe, Commander of the 101st, sent the reply "NUTS," the morale booster that had to be explained to both the Germans and non-American Allies. On Christmas day, Hitler's XLVII Panzer Corps launched an assault on individual positions on the perimeter of the 101st, but was defeated and tanks destroyed. Soldiers on both sides surely remember that Christmas!

With the holiday season upon us, thoughts turn to celebrations with family and friends. For families whose troopers have returned, the empty chair at the Thanksgiving table was filled with the loved one missed last year. The Christmas tree is trimmed and all of the presents will be opened with joyous celebration that their soldier has returned. For families with troopers still in harm's way, holiday wishes will be with them. For those who gave it all, Sergeant Nathan Beyers, Specialist Nicolas Newby, Specialist Carrie French, Specialist Timothy Kiser, all of Idaho's 116th CAV, Staff Sergeant Coby Schwab and Corporal Kelly Grothe of Hayden's 455th Engineers, their families cherish and remember their loved ones during the holiday season.

World War II Navy Veteran Jim Shepard relates an experience while on watch on his ship in the Red Sea at Christmas time 1945, on a mission to transport home our warriors from battlefields to homecoming parades and family. The young sailor was hoping to see the place where Moses split the sea as an escape for the Israelites from the pursuing Egyptians. As he viewed the horizon, he gazed up at the clear night sky and was reminded of the Star of Bethlehem that shown over the place of the birth of the son of Joseph and Mary. The war was over and Jim said for the first time in his life he understood what is meant by "Peace on Earth."

From distant lands, a Christmas song will be in the hearts of our troopers, steadfastly doing their duty:

I'll be home for Christmas

You can count on me

Please have snow and mistletoe

And presents under the tree

Christmas Eve will find me

Where the love light beams

I'll be home for Christmas

If only in my dreams

Merry Christmas everybody!

Jack Evensizer is a resident of Dalton Gardens.