Unfortunately, many deployed Marines and other service members have to spend the holiday season overseas, away from their family and friends. Luckily, they have a great support network, which continues to find new ways to make the holidays as good as they can be while they are deployed.

This year, the Marines and sailors of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) were sent hundreds of recordable storybook editions of ‘The Night Before Christmas’. It allowed them to record themselves reading the poem and send it home to their loved ones.

Master Sgt. Fred Dircksen, the officer in charge of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense for 3rd MAW (Fwd) said, “I think the book was the only thing I sent home this year, and they loved it. I think the best part, for them, was just hearing my voice. The support system out here has come a long way [in the last decade]. It really makes you realize how much everyone means to you.”

In addition, service members throughout Afghanistan received care packages from different programs such as AnyMarine. These packages contained treats, essentials, and letters of support and cheer from American citizens.

Sgt. Julianna Sharp, the training non-commissioned officer in charge for Marine Wing Support Squadron 3, 3rd MAW (Fwd) said, “During the holidays, we were able to collect around 30 boxes containing food, hand warmers, socks and things of that nature for Marines in more remote locations, who don’t have the luxury of receiving mail every few days like we do here.”

Many of the service members here will return home this spring due to the changeover between the I and II Marine Expeditionary Force, but the efforts and support received by troops overseas is still much needed to boost their morale and spirits during the time they need it the most.

For full story, please visit Military.com.

On January 8, 2011, CIGNA, a global health service company will be sponsoring the Walt Disney World Half Marathon. There, the Achilles Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans, consisting of 11 members, will be competing. This race will be the first of the new year for the Freedom Team. Throughout the race, the members will be competing by either running or using a hand crank wheelchair.

This race gives the opportunity to injured service members to train and compete in mainstream races throughout the country. Mike Fradera, 33, will be the returning champion and one of the participants in this race. After serving 10 years in the army, Mike lost both legs below the knee to an IED explosion on August 17, 2007, in Baghdad.

“I was taken to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas where I got fitted with prosthetic legs. Since then, I’ve competed in 13 marathons since my first one in Miami in January 2009,” Fradera said. In last years CIGNA Disney Half,  he won first-place hand-cyclist and trains regularly to represent Achilles in races throughout the year.

Could you compete with SSGT Fradera?

Achilles International is a non-profit organization providing mainstream athletic opportunities for people with disabilities. It was founded in 1983, and now has chapters throughout the United States and in 60 countries worldwide.

For the full story please visit Military.com.

The following note was received from SMSgt Mark Suckle USAF (Ret) –

To all our friends, colleagues and especially to our United States Service Members, past and present.  May you have a safe and wonderful holiday season and a successful New Year.

COL Charles Lucas

FA VCASNY

Commandant

May you find peace and happiness in the new year.
God bless our troops and God bless the United States of America.

Hooah!

MG Robert Bray
Rhode Island National Guard

On December 17, 2010, Michelle Obama joined with Military and civilian volunteers in D.C. to sort gifts for the Marine Corps Reserve’s “Toys for Tots” foundation. Toys for Tots is a program which collects and distributes holiday gifts for children who are underprivileged.

She noted that servicemembers’ families play a huge role in making the program work.”It is just another tribute to the hard work that our military families put into this country, after already sacrificing so much for this country,” she stated. The idea for Toys for Tots was thought of more than 60 years ago by a Marine reservist and his wife. After wrapping the gifts to be given out to the children, she said to the group, “We’re so proud of the work you do for the country and the fact that you are putting it all out for kids across this country. We couldn’t do it without your leadership.”

Obama wanted to help out as much as she could. “We’ve been collecting toys from our staff, and today we brought as many as we could fit into one [vehicle], but there’s still more to come,” she said. She encourages people to donate to this program not only for little kids, but for pre-teens and teens. She noted it is now possible to contribute online at http://www.toysfortots.org.

For more details, please visit Defense.gov.

DSC04986, originally uploaded by vcasny.

Here are some more pictures of the event, courtesy of the NY Guard. MAJ Barry Pinchefsky, 88 BDE PIO

sm_PICT0170, originally uploaded by vcasny.

The Irish Brigade served in the Union Army during the Civil War, and originally consisted of the 63rd New York Infantry, the 69th New York Infantry and the 88th New York Infantry.

On December 11, 2010, members of the 63rd represented by COL James Whalen (photo), the “Fighting 69th, NYARNG, led by Battallion Commander MAJ. James C. Gonyo III (photo), the 88th Brigade (New York Guard) led by COL George De Simone, and The Veterans Corps of Artillery, led by Chief of Staff LTC Ray Mechmann, commemorated the service of the brigade during the Civil War. During the Battle of Fredericksburg (December 11-15, 1862), the brigades’ force was reduced from over 1600 troops to 256.

Todays commemoration was to honor those lost in the battle. Also joining the commemoration were Civil War Reenactor’s from the New York State Volunteers Heritage Association.

For more information on the Irish Brigade and its’ respective units please see these Wikipedia articles:  “The Irish Brigade“,  “69th Infantry Regiment (United States)“, and “New York Guard“. Here is a link to the “Battle of Fredericksburg“.