Sailors onboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz did take the time to celebrate Christmas along with their families while in port.
A facility in Qatar was decked out in a “winter wonderland” complete with Christmas tree.
Business Insider did a photographic piece on Christmas in the military, which Read more
In a summary of how Christmas was treated around the military this year:
Air Force leadership wished their Airmen “Happy Holidays“, without expressly saying to what holidays they were referring.
Fort Stewart had an actual Christmas tree with Christmas carols, though the quotation about the meaning of the season — “a time to grow and reflect” — was a bit off.
Schofield Barracks managed to only light a “Holiday Tree,” though seeming to tacitly acknowledge there was only one holiday that was celebrated with a lit tree in December.
The US Air Force continued its annual tradition of supporting Operation Christmas Drop.
Fairchild AFB managed to use the word “holiday” five times in a single caption — and didn’t use “Christmas” once, despite referring to songs, trees, and Santa Claus, all on Read more
US military leaders publicized their “holiday messages” in a series of videos just before Christmas. Outgoing Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and his wife made a point of saying “Merry Christmas,” as well as including a still photo from a homosexual proposal during a homecoming ceremony.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen Marty Dempsey and his family sang “Jingle Bells” and wished everyone a “Merry Christmas.”
Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James and her Read more
The US Air Force leadership issued its “holiday safety message” this year, calling on Airmen to be “Safe-n-Sound.”
As military bases begin to erect their seasonal displays, think anyone will complain about the graphic chosen to accompany the press release, as an atheist or two has in years past?
Military leaders from all branches have begun distributing their traditional Christmas (or holiday) greetings:
An interesting article written by Chaplain (Capt) Robert Schobert of Goodfellow AFB, Texas, notes his study of the “wiki-holidays” occurring over the next few weeks.
The article includes the increasingly common appeal for care for those who may not feel very “joyful” this time of year, and focuses on the inherent inclusiveness of the military community.
Whether you are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Pagan, Democrat or Republican, you are a vital part of this diverse community. And just like me, you are blessed to be a critical element of this unique American experience of living and working alongside others that are absolutely not just like you, but wish you joy and peace this time of year just the same.
While the article seems fairly current, it has actually been reprinted a few times over the past few years in nearly identical form.
Despite the decision by some government organizations to have “holiday” trees, the National Christmas tree lit in the Nation’s capital each year remains precisely that — a Christmas tree. This year the US Coast Guard Band was the primary musical backdrop for the event; as is often tradition, the band stood for the Christmas prayer offered by the Rev. Darrell D. Morton. Some bowed their heads; some did not.
The President’s remarks included a call for prayer for the military: Read more
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates issued his annual holiday message this past week. As is often tradition when mentioning the military and this “holiday season,” he cited George Washington’s Christmas crossing of the Delaware in 1776:
On Christmas Night, December 25, 1776, General George Washington and his band of 2,400 men crossed the icy Delaware River, won victories against British and German troops, and stirred new hope into the struggle for freedom and liberty… Read more