Home in their hearts

Here’s where it stands today for our troops in Iraq. It’s New Year’s weekend and they should be continuing the simple but heartfelt holiday celebrations they’ve enjoyed through Christmas. And it’s the weekend projected for the hanging of Saddam Hussein, which puts the military on high alert, no doubt, for a possible upsurge in violence.

They’re certainly thinking of America every day, and we should be thinking of them, these men and women who are sacrificing so much to serve nobly. Here’s a reminder:

For some military personnel, like Marine Lance Corporal Jason Smith, this was not their first Christmas in Iraq. Corporal Smith has served back-to-back tours, and is spending his second consecutive Christmas here.

He says the large number of care packages the troops receive from their families, and even from strangers, makes them feel appreciated this time of year. “We get a lot of candy, and we put on a lot of weight this time of year. We get lots of cards from grade school students, and they draw little pictures and stuff like that it. It makes me feel good,” he said.

Small gestures and simple greetings are huge to service men and women.

Many of the troops say it is their faith in God that helps sustain them in Iraq, especially during the holidays. Ordained Minister Lieutenant Colonel Cheryl Brady. “We believe God is in control of our lives. Even being here in this war zone, our faith and trust is in God to keep us, to sustain us, to protect us,” she said.

Bishop Fulton Sheen wrote a terrific little “Wartime Prayer Book” that fits in the pocket and is the perfect way to encourage men and women serving far from home. Thanks to the great work of CatholicMil.org, they are available here.