Here's to you, soldiers of the 1-17 in Afghanistan

[bruno]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/23/AR2009122302442.html

"This holiday season is a good time to remember these faraway soldiers. The debate over Afghanistan has provoked strong feelings, pro and con. But the country seems united in its appreciation for a military that has been suffering the stresses of war, without complaint, for the past eight years. "

"

There's a scraggly Christmas tree atop one of the prefabricated trailers where the soldiers of the 1-17 bunk when they're not out on missions. It's not a place any of us would want to spend the holidays, but in conversations with soldiers here, I didn't hear any complaints.

In this season of peace, here's a holiday toast to people everywhere who don't have that blessing today."

Here's to you "Buffaloes" and to all those others who are on the pointy end of the spear today and every day. Our thoughts and thanks are with you and your families this Christmas.