Fort Lewis is currently hosting a National Guard unit from Lincoln, Nebraska for training. Because the post is virtually shutting down over the Christmas holiday, the visiting National Guard soldiers are not receiving services and have to leave until 2 January. Some are visiting friends and family on the West Coast, but most have had to book flights home at their own expense, because military regulations do not allow the Guard to pay travel costs for members on leave.

When word of this got back to some of the business people of Lincoln, they got their friends involved, sent out email alerts and raised $30,000 in just two days. The money donated was more than enough to reimburse every soldier for their flight costs, with money left over for a reserve account.

When word got back to the National Guard members, the battalion held a celebration in honor of the generosity of the community back home. After the unit completes the training at Ft. Lewis, they are scheduled to deploy to Iraq for 10 months.

In my mind, this is what the Christmas spirit is all about. It's also what the American spirit is all about.

Merry Christmas one and all and keep your military members close at heart.

Sandy