Holiday Season: A time for reflection

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

12.12.2008

Story by Command Sgt. Maj. John Gioia 

Multi-National Division Baghdad

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By Command Sgt. Maj. John Gioia
4th Infantry Division

BAGHDAD – For those of us here in Iraq, the holiday season is a time for us to reflect upon the past years accomplishments of the Ironhorse Division and Multi-National Division – Baghdad. It's a year in which we have seen go by with a great deal of progress here in the Baghdad area.

It is also a time for us to reflect on what we truly appreciate and miss most of all: Our families back home. There is comfort knowing that this Christmas we won't be alone for we will share this holiday with our brothers and sisters in arms. It is a unique but strong extended family.

It is also a time to remember our 89 fallen and their families, who will not be able to celebrate in this joyous holiday. So I encourage you all to reflect on those loved ones back home, the great Soldiers here and our fallen comrades.

It seems like it was just yesterday that we celebrated Christmas when we arrived in theater 13 months ago – December 2007 – and here we are once again. There is a significant difference this time however. It's not something you can necessarily put your finger on, but there is a bit of a different feel this year. The streets of Baghdad are different, the people have changed and, for the first time, there's a certain sense of hope.

When we first arrived, for most Soldiers, the meaning of Christmas and the holiday season was really centered more on their families back home. Although we were a strong team back home at Fort Hood, at Fort Carson, and at the various other installations from around the globe, we were trying to figure out where we all fit into the MND-B team.

Our team has now bonded and continues to grow even stronger. Over 13 months in combat, I am convinced that our Soldiers have developed a greater appreciation for their fellow Soldiers – those of whom they serve with on a daily basis. Their fellow warriors have become new additions to their families. And although the holiday season is about their relationships with families back home, the celebration will be here with their comrades – and that should be special in and of itself.

Across the division, our goal is to provide Soldiers with a special feeling of home this holiday season. This is clearly evident when walking down the halls and seeing Christmas and holiday decorations going up. In fact, as I came in today from out in sector, I admired the huge Ivy Leaf that now adorns the front of the headquarters building. When lit at night, you can see the festive lights from across Z-Lake.

The decorations are significant because anything you can do to bring a feeling of home here for Soldiers is important. For many, the deployment marks their first time away from home, so we make every effort to bring a sense of home to them.

Of course, as we reflect upon this special holiday season, it is also time to set our sights forward as well. After Christmas, we all look forward to welcoming in a New Year. And after the New Year, we welcome in our 1st Cavalry Division comrades from Fort Hood as we prepare for the closure of this mission and reunions with our families – which is probably the best gift that we can give to our Soldiers.

To all our families, I thank you for being there for these great warriors – through the good times and the hard times – we know it has not been easy. In some aspects, there are times where it can be harder being back home than being here. Your sacrifices do not go without notice and we appreciate everything you do.

When a Soldier receives a piece of mail from home, and the smile spreads across his or her face, it is kind of like a Christmas all by itself. You are a large part of our world, and we couldn't be as successful as we have been without your support. So, once again – thank you.

Take care of yourself; take care of your comrades, and take care of your families.