Christmas Tree

We were not so sure how the Iraqis were going to handle us having Christmas in the DHQ(District Headquarters), so we asked a terp to give us their perspective and the perspective of the Iraqis here.

He did some asking around and the Iraqis expect us to have Christmas. In fact, they would respect us less if we didn't celebrate our own religious holidays. They don't stop celebrating their holidays for us and we respect their traditions... so they feel we should act the same way.

Iraqis see us Americans as Christians and they see Christians as "people of the book." They believe we follow the Bible and so they expect us to act in accordance with customs and ways that are taught in the bible. ... more on that later....

Here is a picture with SSgt "Crash" McRae and the Christmas Tree we have set up in the DHQ.

Just for fun, we are doing a "Secret Santa" this year so that everyone gets a little something. The gifts you see under the tree are ones for that and ones for the NCO's. The SNCO's got together to make sure the NCO's and below all got something too.

Hopefully this will help us all just feel a little closer to home.

We remember all of you and really appreciate all the love and support you send our way.

Semper Fi,

m