Time to thank those fighting around world for freedom

Calvin Coolidge said, "Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind."

Those are wise words from a wise man and something we should strive for throughout the year. However, the holiday season allows us to step away from our hectic jobs to celebrate the spirit of Christmas and spend time with our family and friends.

But, as we celebrated with our families and friends, it was also a time to give thanks to those fighting for freedom around the globe. There are countless Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and civilians who were not home for the holidays as they protected the tremendous freedoms we enjoy. This season we will have more than 500 Gunfighters deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and many other locations throughout the world.

Those sacrifices are a true reflection of Christmas. As we celebrated Christ's birth we should remember it's the way he lived his life and his ultimate sacrifice that shaped our lives today. Our American way of life is based on basic Christian values of forgiveness, sharing and tolerance. But those values also allow others the freedom to choose their own religious beliefs.

In the Air Force, we celebrate holiday parties instead of Christmas parties and to some that may seem contrary to the season. I believe it's a perfect example of the spirit of the season. As an example, three years ago we had a young Airman put together our squadron Christmas party. One day she asked me if we could call it a holiday party. Naturally, I asked why considering the time of year. Her answer was simple, "I'm Jewish." That young Airman taught me it doesn't matter what your religious preference may be; we can all celebrate this season of giving together. That is a tremendous privilege provided by our Constitution and protected by our brothers- and sisters-in-arms.

We should take that privilege and spend time with those closest to us, our family and friends. We, as military members, make great sacrifices for our country, but our families are the unsung heroes as they support us through extended deployments, weekend duty and a multitude of different job demands. This time of year is our chance to give back.

Giving at Christmas comes in many different forms. For my wife and I, giving our children gifts and watching their faces on Christmas morning has always been a great experience. But the greatest experiences came as they got older and I spent time with them as they tried to find their mom the perfect gift. Not because they had to, but because they wanted to. They didn't always buy gifts; many times they made them. They created simple things like a hand-made napkin holder, clay "sculptures" and "Picasso-like" paintings because that is what mom would like. Those things, given with love, represent the true meaning of Christmas. Those fine pieces of art still adorn our house … and always will.

So, as you celebrate the holidays, step away from the commercialization, spend time with your families and friends, and remember why we have the opportunity to share this time together. Look out for each other and have a very merry holiday season.