Football player's parents wear combat boots

Michigan DB Channing Stribling's mind never far from mother serving in Afghanistan 
The Detroit News
Angelique S. Chengelis
December 26, 2013

Michigan defensive back Channing Stribling worries about his Army mother's safety.
(John T. Greilick / Detroit News)

Scottsdale, Ariz. — Late in the season, there was a change in Channing Stribling.

Clearly, his coaches and teammates realized, he was distracted.

The Michigan freshman defensive back, recently turned 19, is always in regular contact with his mother, Sonjay, a captain in the U.S. Army serving in Afghanistan, but during the week before the Ohio State game, he didn’t hear from her.

She only recently has returned to the U.S. after eight months overseas.

“He’s a young kid and people don’t realize, his mom was serving in the service, and she was gone, and he didn’t hear from her,” Michigan defensive coordinator Greg Mattison said this week as the Wolverines continue preparations for the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl on Saturday night. “And now she’s back home, you can see this guy is the same guy we had earlier.”

For Stribling, it was a challenge to not panic about his mother, especially because he could never initiate phone communication with her. She could only call him.

“It was a hard situation, mom being in Afghanistan and having to think about her every day, so trying to focusing on football is kind of hard,” Stribling said. “I’d focus on my mom. If she didn’t give me a call that week, I’d be worried.”

This is not Stribling’s first experience having a parent serve overseas. His father, Dennis, also is a member of the Army. He was stationed in Korea during his son’s final high school season at Butler High in North Carolina.

“I’m getting used to it,” Stribling said. “It is hard. Since I was younger they’ve always been gone.”

His parents are in Arizona for the bowl game, although his father will have to return overseas in a few months.
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Veterans forever young

Veterans forever young
Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
December 25, 2013

I can't think of a better day than to say what a blessing it is for me to be able to go out and film the events as part of this family. Everywhere I go, I see love. I see arms reaching out to hug and comfort in sad times and I see the same arms reach out to celebrate. I see friends walk away from crowds to share a private conversation as one head bows low and soon a hand touches his shoulder. I see such grace in the actions of leather clad, tattoo covered, long haired bikers too few ever get to know.

You remember the days when you were young and far away from home and those days are as much a part of you as today is. Those days went into who you became. You have always done for others but it is so hard for you to let others do for you. Yet remember when you were in combat and remember you were not alone then to fight those battles. Don't try to go it alone now. Let them know you need someone to talk to and they will be there to listen.

This is my Christmas gift to all of you and my wish for the New Year.

"Forever Young"
The Pretenders
(originally by Bob Dylan)

May God bless you and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder
To the stars
And climb on every rung
And may you stay
Forever young

Forever young
Forever young
May you stay
Forever young

May you grow up
To be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand up right and be strong
And may you stay
Forever young

Forever young
Forever young
May you stay
Forever young

May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
May your song always be sung
May you stay
Forever young

Forever young
Forever young
May you stay
Forever young

Augusta VA won't let carolers sing religious songs

This will sound strange coming from me, but I agree with this rule. There is a reason that may not be obvious to many. It is the relationship veterans have with God and Christ that needs to be respected. Not all of them feel loved by anyone, including God and not all of them have a relationship with or want any part of the Trinity. Their feelings and beliefs have to be respected as much as those who practice the Christian faith.

I did not fully understand this until I had gone to Walter Reed a few years back with a backpack full of Christian gifts for the wounded servicemembers. My tour guide informed me of what I could give directly to the patients and what had to be delivered by the hospital Chaplain. I respected the decision.

I have talked to veteran-believers and it is easier for me to just talk about faith. It is harder when they tell me they believe in God and Christ but had left the church many years ago. Even harder is when they have no faith in anything or anyone. I have to work with them where they are spiritually on a case by case basis. It would do more harm than good to cross that line.

So even something as simple as Christmas songs can bring an emotional price for some to pay.

I don't think they need to hear Holy Night to see they are loved in the eyes of the people who came to visit them. I don't think they need to hear Away in a Manger to know they matter to someone. Part of healing has to come slowly for some but the greatest gift we can give them is to just spend time with them and let them know someone cares.

Augusta VA won't let carolers sing religious songs
By WESLEY BROWNMORRIS NEWS SERVICE
December 24, 2013

The angels will not be heard on high, nor will the little Lord Jesus sleep in heavenly peace at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center.

The Augusta hospital announced Monday that it’s taking a stricter stance on its policy banning carolers from singing religious Christmas music in public patient areas.

Last week, the facility prevented a group of high school students from Augusta’s Alleluia Community School from singing to its veterans a number of traditional holiday tunes that honor and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, such as Silent Night and O Come All Ye Faithful.

“Military service veterans, male and female, represent people of all faiths,” hospital spokesman Brian Rothwell said in a statement. “It is out of respect for every faith that The Veterans Administration gives clear guidance on what ‘spiritual care’ is to be given and who is to give it.”

Alleluia Community School Principal Dan Funsch said he was sad to hear that the Veterans Affairs hospital’s “spiritual care” grants holiday exemption only to Frosty, Rudolph and the secular characters that make up the 12 Days of Christmas.

“This is not a religious proselytizing, evangelistic issue,” said Funsch, arguing that Christmas songs are broadcast during the holidays on area radio stations and in local retail outlets. “The song Joy to the World is as much a part of the holiday spirit as the Christmas tree.”
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Canada: Gov. Gen. Johnston Offers 'Help' to Family of Suicidal Military Members

Gov. Gen. Johnston Offers 'Help' to Family of Suicidal Military Members
OYE Times
Written by Sam Dixon
24 December 2013

Governor General David Johnston made a special mention in his Christmas message and offered condolences to family members of those military personals who recently allegedly gave up their lives.

In the message released on Tuesday, Johnston mentioned that "recent tragic losses have reminded us of the stresses to which you are often exposed and of the subsequent mental health challenges that may result from military service.” He added that "help is available, and together, we must demonstrate a greater sense of responsibility to our men and women in uniform, both during and after active service."

In a recent unfolding of unfortunate events four soldiers passed away in an apparent attempt of suicide earlier in December, which left a strong urge for the federal government to do more.

46-year-old Master Cpl. Sylvain Lelievre was found dead in his home near the Canadian Forces base in Valcartier, Que.

Dec. 2, while Warrant Officer Michael McNeil passed away in his home at the Petawawa, Ont., military base

Nov. 27. Later, Master Cpl. William Elliott passed away near the Shilo, Man., base

Master Bombardier Travis Halmrastin Lethbridge, Alta, on Nov 25.
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Iowa National Guardsman home for Christmas

Iowa National Guards

Soldier surprises children on Christmas Eve
Quad City Times
By Thomas Geyer
December 24, 2013

For Staff Sgt. Sean Jacobsmeier and the soldiers of Bravo Company of the 248th Aviation Support Battalion out of Boone, Iowa, finding out Monday they had a four-day leave for Christmas was a welcome present.

But Jacobsmeier's surprise became a bigger one for his three children on Christmas Eve when he took the stage in the middle of the Christmas pageant at First Presbyterian Church, Davenport.

Jacobsmeier, 36, and the 40 other members of his Iowa National Guard company have spent the past couple of months training at Fort Hood, Texas, for their assignment in Kosovo.

The aviation support battalion does maintenance on the aircraft, the Davenport man added.

He and his wife, Theresa, 31, talked about a possible Christmas homecoming when he was sent to Fort Hood about the first of November, he said.

“This is my second deployment,” Jacobsmeier said. “I was deployed to Iraq in 2008-2009. I had one child then, Benny, who was just a baby, and who is now 6. I now have a 3-year-old, David, and a 3-month-old girl, Alice.”
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Soldier Santa Shocks Mom for Christmas

Home for Christmas: Brick soldier surprises mother with early return from Afghanistan
The Star Ledger
Erin O'Neill
December 25, 2013

Leslie Ann Ruggiero, a pediatric nurse at Ocean Medical Center in Brick, unknowingly walks right by her son (dressed as Santa) Army specialist Travis Ruggiero, 29, of Brick who was deployed in Afghanistan for 6-7 months but returned home to surprise his mom. 12/24/13 (Andrew Mills/The Star-Ledger)

When Leslie Ann Ruggiero unsealed a red envelope this morning she thought contained a card from the Santa Claus sitting on a bench behind her, she put her hand over her mouth and started to cry.

“It’s my baby,” she said, holding a postcard with a handwritten message from her son, a U.S. Army specialist who wasn’t supposed to return from his deployment in Afghanistan until March.

As Ruggiero clutched the postcard, she didn’t notice the man dressed as Santa Claus stand up and take off his hat, round glasses and white beard.

When she turned around, her son Travis, still donning the red suit and black boots, hugged his mother, picked her up and spun her around.

Then, as only a mother would, Ruggiero pushed her hand against her son’s belly to ensure the extra girth was just padding.

“The best Christmas present ever,” said Ruggiero, a nurse at Ocean Medical Center in Brick, where her son surprised her on Christmas Eve.
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Oregon Guard Members Home From Afghanistan

Oregon Guard Members Home From Afghanistan
OPB
Jordana Gustafson
Dec. 24, 2013

Five members of the Oregon National Guard have returned home from Afghanistan in time for the holidays, and a thousand more are scheduled to deploy.

The five pilots are part of the Oregon Army National Guard’s Detachment 47. They deployed to Afghanistan more than a year ago.

Stephen Bomar is a spokesman for the Oregon Military Department. He says the military does not prioritize getting troops home for the holidays.

“You know, the mission has to be accomplished, and if we’re fortunate enough to get somebody home for the holidays or have them depart after the holidays that would always be wonderful,” Bomar said.

Twenty-one Oregon soldiers stationed in Kosovo are expected to return home after the New Year.
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Arizona Soldiers home from Afghanistan in time for Christmas

Soldiers home from Afghanistan in time for Christmas
ABC15
By: Elizabeth Erwin
December 24, 2013

PHOENIX - It's a Christmas to remember for some very happy military families because their soldiers made it home in time for the holidays after serving in Afghanistan.

"We would have been here last night if they would have had the gates open," Jan Beazer said.

Norman and Jan Beazer can hardly contain their excitement.

"Best Christmas present ever," Jan said.

They get to see their son for the first time in more than nine months.

"277 days," Norman said.

They've been counting the days along with every other family member who spent Christmas Eve morning anxiously awaiting the arrival of the 819th Engineer Company.

The soldiers were in Afghanistan, charged with detecting and eliminating improvised explosive devices on roadways.

The danger of the job made the wait even harder.
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Community surprises Marines with early Christmas

Community surprises Marines with early Christmas
UT San Diego
By Linda McIntosh
DEC. 24, 2013

Sgt. Vincent Laughlin, his wife and three children received gifts from community members through North County Warriors Support, an Oceanside-based nonprofit on Saturday Dec. 21. Photo by Jason Kessel

CAMP PENDLETON — Several dozen community members visited the homes of two Camp Pendleton Marines to surprise them with an early Christmas on Dec. 21. Volunteers brought gifts, holiday food and a Christmas tree to Sgt. Marcelo Rios and Sgt. Vincent Laughlin and their families.

The effort was organized by North County Warriors Support, an Oceanside-based nonprofit.

At each Marine’s house, the group set up a tree, brought in gifts and then presented a plaque of appreciation. After the families opened the gifts, volunteers told them they had some good and bad news.

“We tell them ‘the good news is, we were able to get you everything you wanted and everything you needed from your list,’” said volunteer Jason Kessel.

“Then we tell them ‘the bad news is, we weren’t able to spend all the money that was donated’ and we present them with a check for $1,500. There is usually not a dry eye in the house at that point.
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Camp Pendleton Marines fill Christmas wish for teen battling cancer

Marines fill wish for teen
UT San Diego
By Linda McIntosh
DEC. 24, 2013

Jared Gonzales (in Santa cap) and his family stand with Marines from Camp Pendleton who escorted him on a Make-A-Wish shopping spree at the Westfield North County Mall. While the Marines walked with Jared through the mall, they answered his questions about joining the Marine Corps. Photo by Cpl. Orrin G. Farmer

CAMP PENDLETON — A group of Camp Pendleton Marines made a Christmas wish come true for a teen fighting cancer. Jared Gonzales, a North County 15-year old, recently finished his fifth round of chemotherapy in a six-month fight against non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Jared’s long-time dream is to be a Marine. His Facebook page shows him dressed in camis from his uncle who served in the Marine Corps. The caption says, “Thank you Uncle Dave for the uniform.”
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