My favorite Christmas memories are from childhood -- coming home from the church program on Christmas Eve to find a tree crowded with gifts start many of my fondest memories. And a very large farm set made my eyes twinkle most as a little boy.
But during December 2003 I became involved in a story that changed my outlook and my appreciation of Christmas; maybe it was a growing up thing, maybe my patriotic spirit influenced me – or maybe it was what I learned about people.
During Christmas 2003, photojournalist Arian Schuessler and I joined the men and women of the 1133rd Transportation Co. of the Iowa National Guard in Iraq. We were embedded with the Mason City-based unit just days before Christmas as an assignment for my previous employer, the Globe Gazette.
I didn’t know many of the people or much about the unit before we left. When we arrived at their log base, near the Baghdad International Airport, many of them greeted us like old friends. The soldiers shared their cookies and many of the treats that they received in Christmas packages from home.
On Christmas Eve we joined many of the soldiers at a church service in the unit’s cafeteria. It became very clear exactly where we were when a motor blast ignited while we were singing “Oh Holy Night.”
It created a brief scare, enough for the base commander to jump to his feet and get on his radio to find out that no one had been hit or injured. The service ended quietly.
Back at the barracks, members of the unit had a gift exchange planned.
Arian and I received stocking caps with 1133rd insignia and our names embroidered on them. I took a couple of moments and told the soldiers that back home people had not forgotten about them and that they were being remembered by many.
On Christmas Day the unit took one of their few days off. We visited. Many of them called home and talked to loved ones and shared their feelings about missing the special holiday.
Several mentioned that family members had seen the unit’s photo on The Globe Gazette front page – they appeared to be excited about that. It was clear that everyone missed their family. By the way their shared their day and feelings with us, it was also clear that they were comfortable with us and had made us feel like family.
I took a few minutes to use the satellite phone that Arian and I had to call my family and some special friends back in North Dakota. I still remember missing my loved ones, but knowing that I wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else on earth that day.
As we were going to the cafeteria that night, there was another loud blast. Enemy forces had launched a rocket, which went right through a building that housed another unit.
Again, no one was injured and only our nerves were rattled.
Not one Christmas has passed that I haven’t thought about that holiday - I’ve always taken a few moments to thank God for the special friends I made that year and all the men and women who serve our country.
