US Military Celebrates a Merry Christmas
From around the world:
Operation Christmas Drop, the annual event in which C-130s drop packages to remote Pacific Islands, completed its 61st year.
Airmen from Yokota Air Base, Japan, were joined by the University of Guam, the local community and charitable organizations to provide more than 39,000 pounds of humanitarian supplies to islanders during Operation Christmas Drop Dec. 11 to 18.
A commenter on AF.mil site sarcastically noted it is only a matter of time before someone complains about the name of the operation hiding an attempt to conver the locals…
The Stars and Stripes had a few more details, including the Operation’s use of condemned Air Force parachutes, and the unfortunate consequences of using a chute that’s too small.
A San Antonio-based US Army Public Affairs officer, Col Wayne Shanks, explained that “Happy Holidays” is equivalent to the bumper sticker saying “coexist” using religious symbols.
Wishing someone a cheerful season to celebrate family and friends in the way they deem appropriate, or following their particular faith or tradition, is what I believe our Founding Fathers fought for when they left England and headed for North America.
That’s a bit of discombobulated history. “Our Founding Fathers” generally refers to influential leaders from the 1770s (give or take), most of whom were born on the continent. Those who “left England” did so in the two centuries prior, but they didn’t “fight,” nor was a “cheerful season” the reason for their decision to leave Europe. Many left so they could practice their own religious beliefs without government interference. He continued:
Some across the world have used religion to foster hate and use it as a cover for terrorism. We have fought, and are fighting, in some places on this Earth where violent extremists threaten governments and our national security.
I believe we should learn from this extreme corruption of religion and focus our efforts to welcome everyone, share a smile and do a good deed for someone in need. Use “Happy Holidays” to truly be inclusive of everyone in our community and spread the joy of celebrating our freedom, our family and our friends.
There’s nothing wrong with “welcom[ing] everybody.” Unfortunately, his wording implies there is something wrong with acknowledging actual holidays, like Hanukkah or Christmas. Besides, how can one assume that “Happy Holidays” is “inclusive?” Surely not everyone celebrates a holiday in December. Atheists don’t have a holiday (and if they acknowledge Christmas, then why not say Merry Christmas?). And ever wonder why the stereotypical Chinese restaurant is the only place open Christmas day?
The Air Force leadership sent out its “holiday message,” referring to
the many joyous ways we celebrate this holiday season…
The generic message inspired a comment that wished readers “a Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Joyous Hanukkah etc. to all of you…”
The Fort Belvoir chapel held a Christmas tree lighting, which was “a good way to remind people of the true meaning of Christmas.” They also lit a base Menorah. The chapel choir performed Handel’s Messiah.
Despite Michael Weinstein’s previous insinuations, local Colorado Springs Soldiers continue their annual support of the Catholic Charity’s Marian House in Operation Happy Holidays.
“Marian House is our kind of place because it is all about service, and that is what we do in the United States Army,” Col. Joel Tyler, commander, 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., told the crowd…
The Navy Recruit Training Command is sponsoring “adopt a Sailor” so recruits in training can spend Christmas Day with local families, churches, or veterans organizations.
Military members in Afghanistan “shar[ed] the Christmas spirit with locals:”
Being in a Muslim country has not stopped some troops overseas from sharing the Christmas spirit with locals who are not of the Christian faith.
Maj. Michael Conway says he and his fellow advisers to the Afghan army will invite their local compatriots to join them for Christmas dinner.
“They know it’s an important holiday for us and we want to share it with them,” he says.