 Friends,
Christmas
and New Year’s are almost here. It's busy. It's hectic. But we each need to remember the meaning of Christmas and share
God's love. And we must remember to share God's love with our nation's heroes and their heroic families. We are here to remind you that it's not too late
to brighten Christmas for those who defend our country. We can help you help them. They deserve all the gratitude and kindness
we can give. Think about it: There will be an empty chair at family gatherings in many households while so many brave men and women
serve to protect our freedom. But we all can do something to help honor and thank our heroes and their families this Christmas
and New Year’s. They are giving up so much so that we all may live in freedom. At Christmas, it's important to remember our veterans
and servicemen and women who have done so much for us. Not all of our servicemen and women and their families can be together
for Christmas. That is why we continue our effort called Operation Military Christmas. Please see below to
learn ways you can reach out and remember our heroes and their families this Christmas. And, this year, we are sending cards to
veterans and those currently serving. We'd be honored to send a card to a veteran in your family. Please see below
for details! Thank you for giving us the chance to thank them! Christmas is a special time of year; families and friends gather to celebrate
the glorious fact that Christ came to us as a baby. It's also a time of year to count our blessings -including the blessing
of freedom. Merry
Christmas,
Carrie and Stacie 
At Christmas, we must help bring back the true meaning to our troops, veterans,
and their families. Many families will not have loved ones -either because of serving abroad or the ultimate sacrifice of
a loved one dying for our country. So, let's all
do our part for veterans, troops, and military families to feel loved this Christmas.
1. Send Christmas care packages
to our troops. (Please see details below.) 2.
Reach out to our veterans this Christmas. Many veterans, especially WWII veterans, spend
Christmas alone in nursing homes. Each American can do something to change that.
3. Military families sacrifice so much, too. If you know a family whose
husband, wife, son, daughter, mom, or dad can't come home for Christmas, reach out to them. Give them a Christmas gift, gift
card, cookies, or even a greeting card. Do something to acknowledge them and offer your thanks and prayers. 4. Our servicemen and women do without many comforts so
that we can live in freedom and peace. For example, did you that when troops are deployed they don't have a pillow
to rest on? You can change that through Project Pillows. Click here to learn how you can help. It's easy and so helpful. 5. Send Christmas cards
that could add a splash of Christmas color to military quarters. Or, send acceptable Christmas decorations. Write
e-mails and attach files that include photos to print off and use for décor. If anything, it will be a day brightener
for the recipient. 6. Schedule a Skype call to bring a friendly face from
back home into his/her life at Christmas. Not all military families have the technology to Skype with their loved
ones in the military. Loan your smartphone or laptop so they can Skype with their loved one over Christmas. Now that would
be an incredible gift! 7.
Keep a gift card in your purse or wallet. That way you are ready to encourage a veteran on a moment's notice. 8. Keep your eyes open. If you see a
need, put some thought into what you can do to help. It's amazing how a small gesture of thoughtfulness can mean so much. Together we can make a difference. We
urge you to do something this Christmas season to support and pray for our heroes and their families. America, now is the time to unite and stand with our military. We need them...but they also
need us. | 
Stacie and Carrie are sending handwritten cards
