“I’ll be home for Christmas
You can plan on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents on the tree

Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light gleams
I’ll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams”

Words and Music by Kim Gannon and Walter Kent, reportedly based on the original lyrics by Buck Ram

This song was composed from the point of view of an American soldier overseas during WWII, who was yearning to be home with his loved ones for Christmas. There have been millions of soldiers in every war, from every nation, who have at some point wanted to go home for Christmas, wherever home might be.

My uncle and brother served overseas during WWI and WWII, respectively (that’s because my mother bore me late in life (surprise!) and my brother was a couple of decades older than I, and my uncle was much older than my mom). Along with “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” my mother also grew sentimental at this time of the year over the song, “I’m Dreaming Of A White Christmas.” Both songs reminded her of when her son was fighting in Europe and the Pacific during WWII. Remembering how she felt about the songs makes them tug at my heartstrings, as well. 

As a young woman, I knew men who had fought in Vietnam and, later, I met veterans of that era, including my husband. For years I wore a POW/MIA bracelet until, sadly, I lost it. After the September 11th attacks, some of my coworkers left to serve in Iraq or Afghanistan. Many Americans, as well as people around the world, have active-duty military personnel or veterans in their families or among their relatives, friends, neighbors, coworkers and acquaintances. Our lives have been touched in some way by a soldier, veteran or other military service professional. 

Even in peacetime, U.S. troops are stationed around the world, protecting our country from harm. Some get to go home for the holidays, many do not. Soldiers and other military personnel — including men, women and people of other gender identities, persons of color, and those of cultural and religious or non-religious backgrounds — are often required to stay on active duty at their respective posts during the holidays. That goes, as well, for soldiers in our allied and partnered nations; those of us who get to spend the holidays with our families and other loved ones should support them for their respective sacrifices, and expect our governments to do the same.

Here at home, from the very beginning of our nation the military has played a key role in its establishment, survival and growth. Millions of men have lost life and limb, and many have had to live with physical or mental disabilities for the rest of their lives for defending America; in recent times, as women have engaged in combat, the same has happened to them. Starting with the Revolutionary War and continuing with the War of 1812, The Mexican-American War, The Spanish-American War, The Civil War (in which the most soldiers died), WWI, WWII, The Korean War, The Vietnam Conflict, the Iraq War and the Afghanistan War, soldiers have shed their blood for their country.  The bodies of those who gave their lives to defend our nation and the nations of our allies around the world rest in Arlington National Cemetery and other cemeteries around the U.S. and the world. We have even set aside a day of remembrance in honor of those who gave their lives, which was initially referred to as Decoration Day after the Civil War and later established as Memorial Day.

And, yet, shockingly, many of our elected officials, recently past and present, as well as those currently running for office, have done and continue to disparage and insult military heroes and even their families, deny them their basic rights and due and, unbelievably, threaten some with execution. Every time I think of those outrageous — and frankly un-American affronts — my ire rises. These slurs and threats to our military must not be ignored or tolerated. Nor should we any longer stand for the stripping of rights of military personnel. The U.S. military is one of the key pillars of American strength. The others are the diversity of the U.S. population and its economy. 

It’s also important to understand that the standards of etiquette and decorum stated in the Uniform Code of Military Justice prohibit military personnel from responding in kind to such insults. That’s all the more reason we citizens must stand up for our service men and women, and hold elected officials and candidates for office accountable for smearing, insulting or threatening those in the military and their families. We can do that with our powerful votes (while we still have them). And we can take action by phoning or emailing our elected officials, writing letters to the editor of our local papers and speaking out whenever and wherever possible and appropriate. We need to use our Constitutional freedom of speech (while we still have it). Of course, this does not mean that we cannot disagree with military decisions; that’s also part of our Constitutional freedom of speech, and quite different from denigrating the organization or individuals.

Meanwhile, we can hold our soldiers in our hearts, whether they are in the military permanently or temporarily. There are many ways to show appreciation, from sending care packages overseas to inviting a coworker who is being deployed and cannot get home for the holidays over for dinner or gift them tickets to something they would enjoy. But most of all, show them basic respect and appreciation. 

We need to also remember that besides soldiers, there are others, as well, who might not be coming home for Christmas or the other seasonal holidays celebrated at this time of the year. They include war civilian hostages and political prisoners, civilian war casualties, and any other individuals who are prevented from being with their loved ones during the holidays due to conditions beyond their control.

Hence, let’s also raise our voices and use our pens and our votes to encourage peace rather than war so that in the future more will be home for Christmas, Hanukkah and other beloved holidays, and not just in their dreams.

For now, all the best to you, dear readers, and your loved ones, for the remaining holidays this year, and for a much better New Year on all fronts.

Until next time,

Jeanne