It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Christmas is weeks away and I can already feel the spirit of Santa upon us. Shoppers buzz about the mall, making lists and checking them twice. Stockings are hung by the chimney with care. The tree is ablaze with twinkling lights, the fridge jammed full of goodies. The countdown ‘til Christmas has begun.
 
As we look forward to a happy holiday spent with loved ones, hundreds of Marines will spend this Christmas in a combat zone while serving in Iraq. They are thousands of miles from home. They will spend the holiday with their platoon; the only family they will see for months to come. For these Marines, Christmas will look nothing like the ones we are hustling around to create for our children.
 
They have not seen a toilet in months; they sleep in the dirt and have no access to running water or electricity. They are accustomed to harsh living conditions, an exhausting schedule and the imminent threat of danger. Remarkably, if you asked any one of them, they would tell you; " I am honored to claim the title of United States Marine."
 
They serve with honor, courage and commitment. They are the few, the proud. These Marines, who we will never meet, whose name and face we do not know, spend countless hours fighting on our behalf. These Marines are willing to give up their own life in defense of the country we love, the place we call home. These Marines would do whatever it takes so that you and I can sleep well tonight. These Marines deserve a Christmas.
 
Operation Santa USMC, hosted by Marine Corps Moms, adopts a small unit of deployed Marines every Christmas. A Christmas tree, decorations, candy and snacks will be sent along with a stocking for each individual stuffed with presents and Christmas cards from back home.
 
The Marine moms of Operation Santa have asked us to help create a Texas-sized Christmas for the Marines of the "Bigfoot" unit, made up of 15 Marines and 4 civilian translators.
 
The request is simple. Operation Santa’s Holly Wheat asks you to address one greeting card to each individual, place them all in a larger envelope and mail it directly to her. Please do not seal the envelopes, just tuck them closed. The moms have only asked for cards, but if you would like to give more, your donations will be appreciated.
The goal is to ship everything by December 8 to reach the Marines by Christmas.
 
Holly’s address can be obtained by emailing her at Help4therecon@gmail.com.
The following is a list provided by Holly with the names of each recipient and where they are from:
 
CPT Darryl Ayers 1LT Jake Cosme
Chalmette, Lousiana Ranch Cucamonga, Calif.
1LT Juan Cabrera 1LT Glenn Cruz-Canel
New York, NY New Britain, Connecticut
SSgt Larry Voss Sgt Cody Yates
Glen Burnie, Maryland Bowling Green, Ohio

Sgt Victor Fernandez SGT Jaime Luna
San Antonio, TX Dallas, Tx
Cpl Nicholas Baldwin Cpl Adam Berbric
Laguna Nigel, California Palmetto Bay, Florida
 
LCpl Shawn Kronebusch LCpl Benjamin Killman
Melbourne, Florida Carthage, Michigan
LCpl Kevin Marin Omed Sorani
Las Vegas, Nevada Alexandria, Virginia
Mark Saheb Moe "Jimbo Gates" Salim
Montreal, Canada St. Louis, Missouri
Moe Al-Talibi
Montreal, Canada
 
As a former Marine Sergeant, I know these Marines. As the saying goes, once a Marine, always a Marine. I may not know them personally, but I served with them in peace and I trained them for war. Because I spent several Christmases overseas, I know what a lonely time it can be. I still remember longing for the warmth only my mother's hug could bring, wishing I was home baking cookies with my favorite aunt. My heart beats to the same cadence as it did while I was on active duty.
 
Words cannot convey the feeling that comes with the recognition from an unknown civilian, no matter how small. It lets that Marine know they are not forgotten. It tells them their service is appreciated. It makes the misery that often accompanies military life worthwhile.
 
Make Christmas happen for a Marine. Send a greeting card. It is a small price to pay for freedom.
 
For more information on Operation Santa USMC or other opportunities to connect with our troops, visit:
www.@emailourmilitary.com
www.emailourmilitary.com/projects