Christmas In Syria

Syrian Christians Pray For Peace On Christmas Eve (PHOTOS) -- RT

As disastrous civil war continues to ravage Syria, Christian communities across the country gathered to attend Christmas masses and pray for peace in the strife-torn land after almost two years of violence.

"I pray that peace and safety returns to the hearts of all Syrians," Heba Shawi, a Catholic attending mass at Notre Dame church in the Damascus district of Qusur told AFP. "I hope the smiles come back to children's faces."

Bishop Joseph al-Absi, who led the mass at the Melkite Greek Catholic Cathedral in Damsacus, prayed for peace in Syria, asking God to protect the country and it leadership, according to SANA news agency.

Read more ....

More News On Christmas In Syria

Celebrating Christmas in Syria -- Euronews
Syrian Christians 'pray for peace' -- AFP
Syria crisis: Low-key Christmas for Christians -- BBC
No peace nor good will at Christmas in Syria, says UN envoy after talks with Assad -- Al Bawaba
Syria's Christians under threat -- AP
New patriarch urges peace – Syria Islamists warn Christians -- Kuwait Times
Syria: Christians rustle up some Christmas cheer -- Euronews
Christians in Syria mark bitter Christmas -- Hurriyet News
Difficult Christmas for Syria's Christians -- Christian Today
No Christmas in Rebel-Held Northern Syria -- Antiwar.com
In Christmas address, pope decries slaughter in Syria -- USA Today
Pope decries slaughter of 'deeply wounded' Syrians -- CBC/AP

Christmas In Afghanistan

Troops In Afghanistan Celebrate Christmas In Company Of Each Other -- FOX News

U.S. troops in Afghanistan, away from their families and thousands of miles from home, were celebrating Christmas in their own way Tuesday with carols, candles and the company of each other.

Soldiers from the U.S., France and Germany packed a dining hall at the Kabul International Airport for a traditional Christmas meal. As the turkey was carved, they shared thoughts of their families.

"I wish I could be home with my family and friends, but, I mean, I am surrounded by nothing but awesome people, so it is good," U.S. soldier Vanessa Gann said.

Read more ....

More News On Celebrating Christmas In Afghanistan

American troops take a break from the frontline to share in the holiday spirit over Christmas Eve dinner in Afghanistan -- Daily Mail
Troops downrange 'go with the flow' but think of home on Christmas -- Stars and Stripes
Troops in Afghanistan Find Cheer With a Yule Logon -- New York Times
A Christmas treat for our troops: 9,000 servicemen and women celebrate the day with turkey and a 5k fun run -- Daily Mail
In Afghanistan, a hard holiday season for U.S. troops -- Delaware Online
British troops in Afghanistan celebrate with turkey lunch -- BBC
Turkey and trimmings flown in for UK troops in Afghanistan -- BBC
Christmas wishes from Alabama's soldiers in Afghanistan -- al.com
With their loved ones in Afghanistan, families soldier on for Christmas -- Nola.com

Merry Christmas!

Soldier's Christmas Eve

Soldier's Christmas Eve -- Elise Cooper, American Thinker

While many soldiers coming back from deployment have shown their talents by writing books about their experiences, one former Marine, Scott Brown, chose to become a songwriter and a performer. The result is a group, the Scooter Brown Band, that sounds a lot like Jackson Browne with songs that have an Eagles tone to them. The band has just released for the holiday season a very powerful and heart-wrenching song, "Soldier's Christmas Eve," the title of which says it all. American Thinker interviewed Brown about his songs and aspirations.

Scott taught himself the guitar while in the Marine Corps reconnaissance unit and after retiring in 2003 decided to form a band where he became the lead singer and songwriter. Many of his songs -- although he emphasized, not all of them -- have lyrical context related to his experiences while in the military. "Soldier's Christmas Eve" was written to remind people that the U.S. is still at war and that there are soldiers still dying to protect American freedoms. He and the band have decided to donate the proceeds to the Lone Survivor Foundation, founded by the former SEAL Marcus Luttrell. Anyone who wants to hear the song and donate can go to the website.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Their song ... 'Soldier`s Christmas Eve' can be heard here.

NORAD And Google Santa Tracker

WNU Editor: The Google Santa Tracker is here.

Another Christmas In Afghanistan

In Afghanistan, A Hard Holiday For Troops -- Navy Times/USA Today

FORWARD OPERATING BASE ARIAN, Ghazni Province, Afghanistan — First Sgt. Alan Robison is missing Christmas with his wife and children for the fourth time due to deployments.

"I'm really big on Christmas so when I'm home my family really goes all out with the tree and lights on the house," he says. "When I'm not there they don't do as much decorating."

He and his men manage to muster some holiday cheer despite the distance from home. In between patrols in this hotbed of Taliban activity he and his fellow troops decorated a tree.

This year is the 12th holiday season that U.S. servicemembers are in Afghanistan, and it is the time of year that troops can miss their families the most. But Christmas in Afghanistan is in some ways better for troops than it was in previous wars.

The big difference is contact with loved ones.

Read more ....

My Comment: Spending Christmas in Afghanistan sucks .... and that's all that I can say.

Christmas Is Around The Corner

NORAD Santa Tracking Site Ready! -- Aol Defense

It is my favorite defense-related story of the Christmas season: NORAD, the command responsible for tracking possible airborne threats to America tracks Santa as he roams the globe.

In addition to tracking Santa on the day, the site offers Santa Cams that show Santa at locations around the globe, as well as lots of Christmas music and some games.

Why does NORAD do this fabulous thing?

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The NORAD tracking site is here.

President Obama Visits The Marines On Christmas

Obama Visits With Marines In Hawaii -- CNN

(CNN) -- President Barack Obama shook hands with Marines, took pictures, and heard Christmas tales from eager children during a visit to Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Obama, who is on a family vacation in Kailua Bay, Hawaii, made an unannounced visit to the base on Saturday afternoon. The visit was hardly a surprise -- he stopped by the base during his Christmas vacations in 2008 and 2009.

The first family is renting a vacation home in Hawaii, the president's home state.

Read more ....

More News On President Obama`s Visit To the Marines In Hawaii

President Obama and wife Michelle have Christmas meal with Marines -- The Telegraph
Obamas Greet Marines at Christmas Dinner -- New York Times
President Obama and First Lady Visit Troops on Christmas Day -- FOX News
Obama schmoozes with Marines -- Politico
Obama visits troops during low-key Christmas in Hawaii -- L.A. Times
Obama, military mingle -- Honolulu Star Advertiser
Obamas visit service members at Marine Base for Christmas -- Hawaii News Now

Jeff Dunham Achmed's "Jingle Bombs"

Celebrating Christmas In Afghanistan

Children kept First Lieutenant Alan Molin Jr. of Hardwick company while he was on foot patrol yesterday near Camp Phoenix. (Jason P. Howe for The Boston Globe)

Afghanistan Duty, Christmas Spirit -- Boston Globe

Bay State guardsmen, residents hope to win hearts

CAMP PHOENIX, Afghanistan — The Afghan driver of an oil tanker truck squints nervously through the dust as soldiers frisk him. Then they search inside his vehicle.

“What’s this?’’ asks First Lieutenant Alan Molin Jr. of Hardwick, pulling out a rusty canister of white powder.

“Sugar,’’ his translator replies.

“Taste it,’’ Molin tells the driver.

Read more ....

My Comment: To know how U.S. soldiers celebrated Christmas in Iraq, go here.

NORAD Tracks Santa 2010 - Commander's Holiday Message

Also,

President Obama's message to the troops (video).

Message by Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, Washington, DC.

Chairman’s Corner: Happy Holidays.

A Soldier's Christmas Poem For All Of Them.

From The L.A. Times:

Here's a simple holiday video called to our attention by one of our many Twitter pals, @thelightchaser1. He received it from a Twitter pal of his and asked that we pass it on.

It's a simple video, a poem titled "A Soldier's Christmas." It's written by Michael Marks. We didn't know him until we watched the video. Now, we feel as if we do.

Read more ....

Christmas Food Court Flash Mob, Hallelujah Chorus

WNU Editor: Merry Christmas everyone.

Christmas In Afghanistan

Holiday Packages Reach Troops In Most Remote Parts Of Afghanistan -- CBS News

A small remote combat outpost in Eastern Afghanistan received a large shipment of care packages earlier this year. All 46 boxes came from the same address in small town Georgia that no one had recognized.

"We still have fellows over there and we still have gals over there, and they need to know that we're still thinking about them and that they're not alone," said Dr. Tim Annis, a chiropractor in Dawsonville, Ga.

Read more ....

My Comment: The small things count .... and during Christmas such gifts become invaluable.

A Military Family's Sacrifice

Watch CBS News Videos Online

My Comment: Our prayers are with the families who are making this sacrifice.