Friday after Christmas. Yawn. What shall we discuss? I suppose we could be self-centered and list what we got for Christmas, but I think not. You see, when we’re self-focused we forget to serve others.
Serving others. Honor. Duty. Country. Today, I’m remembering what happened on Christmas Day 70 years ago. From December 16, 1944 to January 25, 1945 the Battle of the Bulge was fought in the snowy woods of France. In World War II, this was Germany’s last major offensive attack. At the beginning, German units hurled into unsuspecting Allied lines, beginning a long series of battles. Stormy weather grounded air forces and the fight was mostly between the ground forces.
Approximately 610,000 American troops fought in the battle; 89,000 casualties. Battle of the Bulge was one of the largest and bloodiest battles fought by the United States in World War II. In the end it was an Allied Victory
So on Christmas Day 1944 American boys were far from their safe homes, fighting to end the horrors of Nazism. They didn’t get materialistic gifts; they gave. They gave of themselves: their safety, their comfort, and their lives. Why? To defend innocent people, to protect future generations.
I usually write thank-you notes on December 26th. Today I’m writing an open thank-you note to our American troops, past, present, and future.
Dear Service Member, Thank you for defending America. Thank you keeping us and our American dreams safe. I hope you had a Merry Christmas, and even if you couldn’t have a big celebration, I hope you will not forget that we are praying for you. Thank you for your service. Sincerely, Miss Sarah
Don’t forget. Don’t get overwhelmed by materialism and forget to serve or thank others for their sacrifices.
“May your days be merry and bright…and may all your Christmases be white.” (Irving Berlin, 1941)
Your Historian,
Miss Sarah