It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
Welcome December and all the excitement of the season that December brings with it. I love the clear, warm lights of Christmas and all the wonderful music. Shhh, don’t tell anyone but I have a favorite Christmas album that I listen to all year long. In 1954, Perry Como popularized the song, “There’s No Place Like Home For the Holidays”. Although it wasn’t written for those serving in the military, it always makes me think of those serving our country away from home during the holiday season.
December 7th marks the anniversary of the Japanese Navy’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. 1178 service personnel were wounded and 2403 were killed. 900 of which still rest within the USS Arizona. The US entering into WWII brought about some changes to how Americans celebrated Christmas. Uncertainty and fear as America mobilized, rationing and shortages as the war drug on from year to year. Toy factories converted to war production as food rationing grew stricter. Christmas trees were in short supply, there was little manpower to cut them and no room on the railroads to transport them. Americans are creative and began turning to homemade gifts and decorations.
But what about our service people away from home? The Battle of the Bulge began on December 16, 1944 when the Germans launched a surprise attack in the thick forests of Belgium and ran until January 25, 1945. Eight inches of snow on the ground, one of the coldest winters on record with -28 below wind chill, dense fog, and inadequate winter clothing and shelter. Imagine trying to fight for your life from the enemy AND Mother Nature. Approximately 19,000 died, 47,500 wounded, 23,000 missing or captured. Not a great way to spend Christmas and New Year. It was a costly battle but it was a turning point of WWII.
With all of our modern technology it is hard to imagine what it was like to be away from your loved ones in the past. Thankfully we have the ability to more easily communicate with our families now although it by no means replaces being with them. Take a moment to remember those deployed during the holidays and hug your loved ones that are near.
Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Join us in decorating the Legion November 30th at 9 am.
’Tis the season to be jolly
Children’s Christmas Party on December 7th beginning at noon.
Don we now our gay apparel
Tom and Jerry night on December 20th. Don your ugly sweater for your chance to win some ugly prizes!
Should old acquaintance be forgot
Don’t forget Customer Appreciation Night December 31st.
Have yourself a merry little Christmas!
Erin Hensel
Auxiliary President