Christmas Away from Home

This Christmas is more poignant than most for me. I have a nephew just entering the Air Force and facing his first Christmas away from home. It's caused me to think back to when I went to basic training so long ago. I left just before Thanksgiving so I missed two holidays. Since I was a little older than most trainees it wasn't as bad for me but I recall the distress that so many of the others felt. They were all fresh out of high school and most were pretty homesick.

This is only one of many sacrifices that military members are called upon to face during their career. Even though the services...