AJC > Sandy Springs > Blog > Archives > 2007 > December > 24
Monday, December 24, 2007
Dear Santa: Bring our troops home safely…
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dear Santa:
I know it’s been some time since I wrote, and you probably don’t get too many letters from 51-year-old guys, but I have a tall order this year and I can use all the help I can get.
One reason I haven’t written lately is because I’ve hit that age where it doesn’t take a lot of stuff for me to be happy. Don’t get me wrong - I like seeing my name on those boxes under the tree - but sometimes less truly is more. Or at least OK.
Anyway, what I want this year came to me during a trip to the airport last week. I had a little over and hour to kill, so I got a newspaper, grabbed a soda, and settled in with the crossword puzzle. And that’s when it happened.
Around the corner I heard someone making some pronouncement in a loud voice. I heard something about Iraq and Afghanistan, and my first thought was some nut was using the captive audience in the atrium to make a political statement.
But then I heard really loud cheers, applause and whistles, which the nut cases usually don’t get. When I looked around the corner I saw a large contingent of Army soldiers walking through, headed to their departure gate. The loud voice belonged to a veteran now working with the USO, and he wanted to make sure those brave American heroes did not leave home without a proper send off.
The soldiers looked like any other travelers making their way through the terminal on a business trip. Except their way of dressing for success was desert camo. And instead of brief cases they carried canvas duffels. And no one was going to make sure business would be done in time to get them home for the holidays.
And that’s where you come in, Santa. What I want doesn’t even have to show up Christmas morning. What I want is for all those soldiers to come home in one piece, and for good. I want them to get back to the business of being fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, and sons and daughters.
So that’s it. Hope I’ve stayed on your “nice” list through the years and rest assured Mrs. Osterman will put out her usual four-star, preemo cookie plate Christmas Eve. I know I’m asking a lot, but it’s what I want. No new golf clubs or big-screen plasma HD TV or hotsy-totsy wristwatch.
And I hope I’m not the only one asking for this.
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