Christmas at Al Asad

Dear Family and Friends,

I hope this e-mail finds you all doing well and having a great Christmas. This is the last e-mail I will write here at Al Asad before leaving for Kuwait this evening. Eli and I are very excited about coming home, and can not wait to see everyone.
This was my second Christmas spent in a combat zone in a foreign country. It was my second Christmas away from my family and friends. It was my first Christmas as a married man, but instead of enjoying it with my wife I spent it with one hundred other soldiers who are missing their families as much as I am. Our 1SG and CO decided that they did not want everyone staying in their CHU all day long, and wanted to have a party. Their justification was that if everyone just simply had the day off they would just sleep all day and feel miserable. Many of the soldiers were reluctant to spend Christmas morning at the motor pool, and were not excited about this little get together. However, the party turned out to be a real success, and everyone involved had a great time.
It started with the 1SG and some of the officers handing out Santa hats for everyone to enjoy, then we had some snacks and just visited. The leadership had taken two flatbed gun trucks, and backed them together so their beds made a twelve-foot long stage. In front of the stage there were three giant barrels that had fires in them so all the men could keep warm. It was a unique setup. After about an hour of eating snacks and just enjoying spending time together, it was time for the platoons to perform some Christmas skits. Eli and I of course could not pass up the opportunity to take the stage, and along with another 3rd platoon member told some jokes and read some humorous poems. We got a great response from the crowd a s they appreciated our jokes and our little act. After we got done the other platoons performed their acts. They were all very humorous and got the company rolling with laughter. The final act was performed by maintenance, and along with their little skit their Platoon Sergeant sang a song about the true meaning of Christmas. It was a religious song that I had never heard before, but it was very well done. The SGT had an amazing voice, and had the whole company clapping their hands to the rhythm.
After the presentations the XO (the second in command for the company) handed out Christmas presents to everyone sent from the FRG (family readiness group). The gifts were very nice and thoughtful, they included a mug with the B CO logo, along with a B CO t-shirt and a number of other goodies. After the presents were handed out to everyone there was a raffle for some bigger presents, one of which Eli won. Finally the CO and 1SG talked to the whole company, followed by a brief message and prayer from the Chaplain. It was a good time had by all, and a special and memorable way to spend Christmas.
After the party Eli and I went to lunch with thirteen other guys from our squad, and had a great time just eating and visiting with one and other. While I was sitting at the table lost in my thoughts I noticed a number of soldiers sitting at tables by themselves. Eli and I are very lucky to have so many friends from our platoon. This coupled with the fact that we receive so much love and support from back home helps to make this time away from home easier on us. Noticing the soldiers by themselves reminded me that there are so many soldiers who are not handling this as well as Eli and I. For many soldiers who have not made many friends, and do not have much support from home, this is an extremely tough and depressing situation. Every time I see soldiers eating by themselves I feel bad for them, but it upset me even more on Christmas day. The men and women in our military are making many sacrifices, and are f acing many challenges. Please remember all of them this Christmas season, and keep them all in your prayers.
Lots of Love from Iraq,
Seth