[ohioWfan]

Thank you SO much for this thread, Graybeard!

It's hard enough spending Christmas without a son whom you know is alive and well and in harm's way, but this................unthinkable pain.

My intense and fervent prayers for Matt and his family during these dark and difficult days. May God wrap His loving arms around them every moment of every day!

[Diva Betsy Ross]

I just want to remind the parents of out troops -who are out there... that this Christmas is bittersweet for many of us as well.

While we celebrate with our families we know what you are missing- and it is not far from our thoughts that you are out there-and that your children are protecting us and this country.

I, like so many others, wish I could do something about it. But we all know that I/we cannot. I offer your families my prayers and thanks.

I just wanted you to know that many of us have heavy hearts filled with a mixture of gratitude, and frustration for what you are going thru- this whole holiday season.