Season's Greetings to you and your compadres!!

Back here in the Chill of Montana, please believe that you folks are thought of on a daily basis.

I know you're missing out on some of the "luxuries" that we're enjoying but never lament the experience that you are having at this Christmas time. You're sharing in something so precious and valuable - friendship and comaraderie that only someone who's been there can know. I can't pretend to know how y'all are faring this Holiday Season, but I've been in situations distant from family and friends and have relished the pleasures of brotherhood among fellow warriors.

I'll concede that it's been a few years since I arose from a cot and pulled on my soggy jungle boots, clogged off to a field shower then side-stepped through a chow-line (or worse, opened up an MRE - "Meals Resisting Evacuation" *smirk*), but the sense of kinship and respect for my fellow friends in uniform is not to be soon forgotten.

Please let everyone in your contingent know that I'm thinking of them and, if at all possible, try to envision this whiskered ol' fart standing at rigid attention and rendering you all a brisk and proud salute.

I love you all and pray for your health, happiness and timely return!

God Bless you all!!