by Frank James
As we gather with family and friends over the Christmas holiday, we should take time to remember those who will be observing the holiday far from home on behalf of the American people.
The first who come to mind are the U.S. servicemen and women, all volunteers, in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere who have seen many of their comrades make the ultimate sacrifice or be injured severely.
They put the “power” in the term “American power.” To do so means long deployments away from those they love, and years that can’t be made up.
I know I speak for most when I say our fondest wish is that they return home to their families and friends at the end of their tours, with bodies and minds whole.
Then there are those civilian members of the government who are also serving abroad, in the diplomatic corps or other U.S. agencies in Iraq and Afghanistan and around the world.
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Though they are often forgotten, they take risks as well on behalf of the American people. They are some of the most important faces the U.S. shows the world. They are our soft power. We should be mindful of them too.
Last, and not least, there are the U.S. journalists in Iraq, Afghanistan and other hot spots. They are the people Thomas Jefferson and other founders envisioned as providing the information vital to the American democracy for informed decision making. Let’s not forget them amid all our Christmas cheer.
All of you will be home for Christmas, if only in our dreams.