Remembering Soldiers' Sacrifices

Statement

Remembering Soldiers' Sacrifices

During the holidays, we cherish the time we spend with our families and friends. Our worries about work, school, or other everyday problems ease and we have time to relax and enjoy the people we love. Unfortunately, the nearly 300,000 men and women serving our country abroad this December will not be able to take a break from their difficult and essential jobs to enjoy the holiday season. Our men and women in uniform make sacrifices every day to serve this nation. While our servicemembers deserve our respect and gratitude year-round, it is particularly important that we give them our support this time of year.

December is a particularly difficult time for our servicemembers to be away from their families and friends. Many are in remote regions around the globe and have put themselves in harm's way to defend our freedom as the rest of us are celebrating here at home. Their service on behalf of this nation should continue to be recognized throughout the holiday season; we cannot allow their sacrifices to go unnoticed.

It is also important to remember that servicemembers are not the only brave men and women who make sacrifices on behalf of our security. Families and friends of military members lead extraordinary lives to support their loved ones' service. They face difficult challenges throughout the holidays without their sons or daughters, mothers or fathers, husbands or wives. Continuous reminders of a loved one's absence are part of their everyday lives and I know how difficult this aspect of the Christmas season can be.

There are many ways that we can ease our servicemembers and their families' burden and honor their bravery. I encourage all Alabamians to visit the following websites to learn more about how we can help support our troops during the holiday season.

www.redcross.org/holidaymail

http://holiday.stripes.osd.mil/

http://www.usocares.org

http://www.ecarepackage.org/

http://www.operationhomefront.net/

http://www.treesfortroops.org/

http://www.armedforcesfoundation.org/index1.html

While the holidays will soon be over, it is my hope that Alabamians will take advantage of these ways to honor our servicemembers, both during this season of giving and throughout the rest of the year. At times we have the tendency to forget about the men and women fighting for the freedoms we enjoy, but there are ways for each of us to do our part to support their efforts. Please take this time to remind our men and women in uniform that we are thankful for the brave, honorable, and selfless ways in which they serve this great country and give them the appreciation they so rightfully deserve.

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