There are some vacancies within many Missouri families this Christmas season because loved ones are halfway around the world. Hundreds of Missouri reservists and National Guard members are spending the holiday season in Iraq, Afghanistan, or some other outpost
The voice of the Missouri Guard, Captain Tammy Spicer, remembers her Christmas in her tent in Iraq a couple of years ago. She says people who see pictures of her then see the pictures as sad. But she says it was actually a relatively happy time to sleep in, eat what she wanted all day, and open presents with friends.
She says the military tries to make the day as festive as possible…but sometimes duty intrudes–there as well as it has intruded at home. Spicer says there’s usually a lighter workload if the mission allows it.
She says she knows from personal experience that the military leadership does its best in a mobilized environment to provide a festive atmosphere. She knows the importance of presents from home.
There is some help for those at home. Spicer says every unit has a family readiness group, a military-sponsored organization that provides support and assistance for family members. Spicer says those family readiness groups are most active when the units are deployed..
Download Bob Priddy’s story (:63 mp3)
