The universal Christmas message is one of love and peace and family celebrations even during wartime. This universal message poignantly displays itself in the hearts and minds of American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. For American troops, Christmas marks a longing for home (“I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas”). Soldiers seek a moment of respite from their wartime stress by simple, but heartfelt Christmas celebrations.

No matter where they are and no matter that war is raging all around them. Soldiers always try to do something to remember Christmas and the irony of being engaged in conflict during the season of “Peace on Earth, Good will to men”. Christmas trees always play a part when possible. Some are small, tabletop pine found locally. The lucky units might have a fresh Christmas trees donated by The Christmas Spirit Foundation and co-sponsored by the National Christmas Tree Association and FedEx. The March Air Reserve based partnered with DHL to send 1,000 fresh Christmas trees to Iraq last year.

With pre-planning, some soldiers enjoy artificial Christmas trees loving hauled to Iraq by soldiers in their units. Army Sgt. Paul Mauney was nicknamed the “Christmas Tree Solider” when he arrived at the 101st Airborne Division’s main compound in Mosul with an artificial Christmas tree he had pushed through crowded Baltimore-Washington International Airport on a rolling cart en route to his Iraq assignment. "Christmas to me is very special," he said. "It's different in Iraq, because you're not with your family, but in a way it's the same, because you're with your Army family."


In addition to or in lieu of Christmas trees when none are available, soldiers decorate their quarters with strings of colorful Christmas lights, stockings hung nearby and pictures of Santa or don a red stocking over their helmets while out on patrol. Also, a variety of Christmas activities are arranged to help make the otherwise dreary day more joyful for the troops such as live nativity scenes, caroling, gift exchanges, raffle contests and even a "Best Grinch" contest. When the circumstances allow, a special Christmas meal is provided to the troops all in an effort to in some small way make their Christmas special.

Religious services are held with candles, Christmas carols and sermons. Prayers of offered for loved ones at home, especially for their children who will spend Christmas without their soldier father or their soldier mother.

Some soldiers find that the best antidote for their Christmas blues is to spread Christmas cheer to the less fortunate who are struggling to enjoy the blessings of the Christmas message in their war stricken countries. Some play Santa Claus by handing out candy and gifts to orphans, others hand out much needed food and other supplies to poor families.

The Christmas season during wartime is also a time that many Americans express gratitude to American troops and acknowledge their sacrifices and the sacrifices made by their families to serve their country. Many charities and service projects are undertaken at Christmas time to bring some Christmas cheer and joy to the hearts of those serving in the far off deserts and mountain valleys of Iraq and Afghanistan.
Opportunities abound to make Christmas special for American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. There are hundreds of Christmas projects each year to help American troops have the best Christmas possible even though thousands of miles away in the war zones of Iraq and Afghanistan. For example, in 2005, Kathy Cattani was told by her son serving in the US military in Iraq that many of his fellow soldiers never received Christmas cards or gifts and asked her if she could help. Springing into action, Kathy organized Project Santa with a goal to ship Christmas gifts to over 10,000 soldiers in Iraq. “Operation, We Love Our Soldiers”, a Utah-based non-profit company, offers to send personalized Christmas stockings to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan for a $30 donation. Hundreds of schools have sponsored projects to send gifts and Christmas cards to American troops. Many local communities throughout the United States have undertaken similar projects.
The hope for all, whether soldier or citizen, is that the Christmas message of peace and goodwill can soon be brought to the hearts of all mankind.