(Dec. 25, 2022) Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Steven Hopkins, assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), run on the flight deck during a holiday 5K, Dec. 25, 2022. The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Curtis Burdick)
Bing Crosby’s “I’ll be home for Christmas” is the military’s unofficial anthem for the Soldier Sailor, Marine or Airman deployed overseas for Christmas. When the song was released in 1943 it was a top-ten hit. It was written by lyricist Kim Gannon and composer Walter Kent and told the story of a servicemember during WWII writing home from overseas to tell his family he will be home for Christmas, but only in his dreams.
While the pictures below show that the military services do what they can to help servicemembers celebrate Christmas, the defense of the country is a 24/7/365 job that requires Americans to be stationed at far-flung bases and installations all over the world. Some are fortunate enough to be able to go home for Christmas, but the vast majority were at their posts yesterday doing their jobs. They may have sung some songs, eaten a really good meal, and opened gifts from home, but we know where their hearts and thoughts really were that day.
As the lyrics go
Christmas Eve will find me Where the love light gleams I’ll be home for Christmas If only in my dreams
Gunny Claus, commanding officer of the 1st Reindeer Division, Tactical Sled Group, poses for a photo during a Christmas party for Headquarters Battalion, 2d Marine Division, on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Dec. 15, 2022. “I do it to spend time with my younger brothers and sisters,” said Gunny Claus. “I love my job and I wouldn’t have it any other way.” For the last seven years, the mission of the 1st Reindeer Division has been to coordinate with volunteers to bring the magic of the holidays to Marines and their families. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Isabella R. Mancini)
Leaders from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing pose for a photo during a holiday meal at Al Dhafra Air Base, Dec. 25, 2022. Wing and squadron leaders alike took time to serve deployed service members across different branches during the holiday meal. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class William Lunn)
Bing Crosby’s “I’ll be home for Christmas” is the military’s unofficial anthem for the Soldier Sailor, Marine or Airman deployed overseas for Christmas. When the song was released in 1943 it was a top-ten hit. It was written by lyricist Kim Gannon and composer Walter Kent and told the story of a servicemember during WWII writing home from overseas to tell his family he will be home for Christmas, but only in his dreams.
While the pictures below show that the military services do what they can to help servicemembers celebrate Christmas, the defense of the country is a 24/7/365 job that requires Americans to be stationed at far-flung bases and installations all over the world. Some are fortunate enough to be able to go home for Christmas, but the vast majority were at their posts yesterday doing their jobs. They may have sung some songs, eaten a really good meal, and opened gifts from home, but we know where their hearts and thoughts really were that day.
As the lyrics go
Christmas Eve will find me Where the love light gleams I’ll be home for Christmas If only in my dreams
Gunny Claus, commanding officer of the 1st Reindeer Division, Tactical Sled Group, poses for a photo during a Christmas party for Headquarters Battalion, 2d Marine Division, on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Dec. 15, 2022. “I do it to spend time with my younger brothers and sisters,” said Gunny Claus. “I love my job and I wouldn’t have it any other way.” For the last seven years, the mission of the 1st Reindeer Division has been to coordinate with volunteers to bring the magic of the holidays to Marines and their families. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Isabella R. Mancini)
Leaders from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing pose for a photo during a holiday meal at Al Dhafra Air Base, Dec. 25, 2022. Wing and squadron leaders alike took time to serve deployed service members across different branches during the holiday meal. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class William Lunn)
(Dec. 25, 2022) A cake decorated by Culinary Specialist Seaman Ixshel Mendez and Culinary Specialist Arionna Robinson, assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), is displayed during a holiday meal aboard the USS George H.W. Bush, Dec. 25, 2022. The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Curtis Burdick)
(Dec. 25, 2022) Rear Adm. Dennis Velez, commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10, George H.W. Bush CSG, serves a Sailor during holiday meal aboard the USS George H.W. Bush, Dec. 25, 2022. The George H.W. Bush CSG is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Curtis Burdick)
The BDE Unit Ministry Team led a Spiritual Readiness overnight training in Wrocław, Poland on 22-23 DEC. Chaplain Daniel shared the importance of engaging the spiritual domain and offered ways to grow spiritually as an individual resulting in a highly functioning Soldier. That evening, the group visited Poland’s largest Christmas market and had time to practice spiritual growth methods. The updated FM 7-22 includes Spirituality as part of the holistic health of a Soldier’s readiness.
(Dec. 24, 2022) U.S. Navy Sailors sing Christmas carols on the mess decks of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is in 7th Fleet conducting routine operations. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with 35 maritime nations in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joseph Calabrese)
(Dec. 25, 2022) Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 2nd Class Sean Tran, assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46, celebrates Christmas aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), Dec. 25, 2022. The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests. Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 is the offensive air and strike component of CSG-10 and George H.W.Bush CSG. The squadrons of CVW-7 are VFA-143, VFA-103, VFA-86, VFA-136, VAW-121, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5, and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chandler Ludke)
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