Our Holiday Wish Published Dec. 16, 2009 By Col. Gary Goldstone 375th Air Mobility Wing Commander SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Holiday celebrations at our home are a blend of traditions, and as you might imagine, can be pretty interesting during gatherings with family and friends. My children have enjoyed the visits to see Santa as well as learning of the miracle of the oil for Chanukkah. So when Mary and I wish you the happiest of holidays, it is with sincere respect for the religious nature of the holiday season as well as a desire to be inclusive to all who worship as they choose. That is the wonderful part about being American and serving in uniform ... to protect that very most fundamental right. My family enjoys putting together lists for Santa, decorating the tree, playing dreidel, and making potato pancakes. As the holiday season rapidly gains momentum, we take the opportunity to reflect upon the many blessings we are fortunate to enjoy. And, the Goldstone family truly does wish for peace on earth and good will toward all. There is bitter conflict and turmoil and unrest on this blue planet. There are terrible crimes committed against children and each other. Wars rob our young men and women of futures they could have had. There is greed, corruption and waste. Sometimes it seems there's a constant barrage of negativity and it can be hard for us as adults to make sense of it and try to do something about it, let alone the rising generation. Yet there is something brighter and bigger than the fear that runs rampant through society and that is hope in a better day--a day that starts now with each of us through individual efforts to leave things better than we found them and to solve problems, not contribute to them. We are seeing that every day as our Air Force family makes the world a better place such as the folks at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. For 12 years, they've run "Operation Christmas Drop," a non-profit organization powered by military volunteers and the local Guam community. Each year, the two join forces to aid the people of smaller islands that do not have airstrips or major ports. This year they plan to air drop more than 12 tons of supplies that will reach more than 30,000 people. The men and women of Grand Forks AFB, N.D. just received a presidential award for donating more than 12,000 hours to the community during 2009. On the frontlines in Iraq and Afghanistan, volunteers are working with the local communities to rebuild their infrastructures and thousands of children now have school supplies, medical treatment and more comfortable living areas thanks to our collective efforts. Team Scott is no less generous in their efforts to donate time and resources for many charities and worthwhile causes. For example, we've seen that evidenced by the continued outpouring of donations during the recent Combined Federal Campaign, as we surpassed our goal of $842K to raise $875K. Outstanding! Your generous spirits are keeping the true meaning of the season alive. And with it comes understanding, friendships and renewed strength. We are also very lucky to have the tremendous Greater Scott community support. They never cease in their work to provide a little bit of home for our Airmen here and abroad. The care packages, the cookies and the donations to our family support functions to name a few are all well received and appreciated. It's an honor to serve with you and for you. Thank you for helping make this world a better place. Someday there might be peace on earth everywhere ... but until then, we have the United States Air Force working globally for the cause of freedom ... bringing hope for that better day to come. Air Power!