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Christmas in times of war always evokes extraordinary emotion!
During World War I the story is told of enemies on a battlefield in France spontaneously calling a temporary truce as soldiers across no-man’s land sang Christmas carols in their respective languages and reveled in the origins of their Christian beliefs.
World War II directly affected virtually every American family and brought years of separation and uncertainty for millions. “I’ll be home for Christmas” has since become an enduring anthem of the holiday season.
Through Korea, Vietnam and any number of other conflicts over the years, the spirit of Christmas brought feelings of hope and comfort, along with a degree of despair and yearnings for family togetherness.
So it is again this year. American soldiers are again engaged in conflict and separated from loved ones. Only those who’ve experienced it can fully know what it means when a family unit is disrupted for a time because of war.
This Christmas Eve 2003, KSL sincerely hopes those in harm’s way will somehow feel the spirit of this most extraordinary holiday. May their families at home find a degree of peace in the universal message of the day’s origins! And let the rest of us take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices being made by so many of our neighbors and fellow citizens.