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Published: January 1st 2010
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The end of the holiday season has come to an end but not without bunches of Santa sightings and holiday cheer. Families sent candy canes, holiday head gear, Rudolph noses and stockings galore. One of my co-workers received box after box from the great state of Alaska all filled with love and holiday cheer. Each stocking was filled with homemade cookies, candy, books and a special handmade ornament.
My friend, the Transportation Officer, spent his evenings delivering those special stocking from so far away, bringing smile after smile to the faces of soldiers. There is always a unsuspecting surprise when grown adults receive stockings. “For me!” they say, and “this is the best!” can be heard as Santa walks away. If you turn around and look you can catch the quick smile that takes everybody back to their childhood.
Not only were the Santa’s out in force, the Aviation Waffle House was open Christmas morning and serving the many soldiers who wanted to just hang out with others on the special morning. Waffles are cooked and donations are given and the recipients across Kosovo receive treasures of necessity. Water pumps installed in school bathrooms, much needed school supplies purchased
and many little repair parts and tools have been lucky enough to be purchased from the small waffle donations. Soldiers are givers from their hearts, and it doesn’t hurt that we love the familiar taste of homemade waffles! We are always prepared to wait for over an hour though (only have a few waffle makers!).
To finish out the season we held a talent show and all of us were amazed at the talent that so many shared with us. It was good to laugh at the comedy act, listen intently to the holiday poems, and reflect on our Christmas’s past. The musical numbers came from civilians and soldiers alike. Guitars, piano’s, drums and beautiful voices representing so many states entertained us for a few hours. It truly was a treat to smile with the country boy from North Dakota as he sang about wanting a tan for Christmas and a couple of other selections. The soldiers from Hawaii dazzled Santa Claus and even gave us a lesson with grass skirts and a cute holiday selection of songs. Jazz came a belting out from the deep south and the boy from Arizona brought tears to our eyes when he
sang about his mothers shoes. How lucky we were to be a part of the event and for them to share their talents with us.
It is the end of 2009 and nobody will ever forget this holiday here in Kosovo. Whether we enjoyed ourselves, where homesick beyond believe or just tried to wish the time away. We were all together here in a distant land far away from everybody back home. Fellowship comes in many forms, and those simple smiles and waves can mean a lot to people. So for the record…KFOR 12 made it through this part of the deployment, and are looking forward to the next wave of events, be what they may, but for now…
We are grateful for all your support from home, all the love that showed up in many forms, and for all the words of encouragement sent across the miles. Thank you all!
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