A holiday salute to our armed forces

The holiday season is a busy time as the flurry of last-minute preparations reaches hectic levels. In the hustle and bustle, most thoughts are on purchasing gifts, wrapping presents, planning parties and dinners, celebrating with co-workers, attending special concerts, school vacations and enjoying special religious services.

This year, there is another dimension to our holiday frenzy and stress. It goes beyond our nation's involvement in war zones. After all, we've been through holidays before while U.S. troops were vigilantly serving their country. More than combat and peacekeeping missions, however, is the unseen enemy who is now so much on our mind: the terrorist.

Americans have shown a remarkable ability to go on with our daily lives in spite of the ever-present threat of more attacks, including the possibility of anthrax in our mail. Older Americans will remember the examples set by our British allies during World War II. Neighbors in bomb-ravaged areas of London endured countless nights of air raids but still found ways to maintain some semblance of home life, work, school and worship.

Even while we tap into the good cheer and festivities of the season, we continue to mourn the losses we have encountered since Sept. 11.

This year's holiday season is tempered by the fact that thousands of our relatives, friends and neighbors are serving in the military in various ways. Some are in combat zones. Some are providing support to fighting troops. Some are in parts of the world where maintaining a fragile peace among warring factions requires armed troops who risk their lives to restore order. Still others are on high-alert missions in our own country in an effort to thwart any more terrorist attempts.

For every soldier who is engaged in a special role during this holiday season there are folks back home whose lives are affected by the absence of a loved one, employee or friend. Those who serve in our armed forces don't have an easy task, but it is one they accept with honor and perform with distinction.

One thing that gives support and encouragement to those who serve in the military is the knowledge that they have the support and backing of other Americans. They do. We are proud of their efforts and their willingness to serve in these unsettled times.

We salute the men and women of our armed forces and wish them the very best for the holiday season under such trying circumstances. Our hope is that you will be encouraged and bolstered by the support of a united America.