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Enabling Holiday Cheer

  • Published
  • By Col. Gary Goldstone
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Commander
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  From donating thousands of cookies for Team Scott Airmen to organizing unit social gatherings, the Showcase Team is feverishly working to bring holiday cheer all around them. There are toy drives, shoe drives, coat drives and food collections. There are volunteers ringing bells for donations, children caroling at tree lightings and hundreds of people working behind the scenes to bring some magic and kindness to this season.

It's a great time to be here as we "Enable Holiday Cheer," which is the theme for this year's annual holiday gathering at the Scott Club Saturday. It's plain to see that we are busy with not only preparing our own homes and families, but also with making sure no one is left out. Thank you to all who are making this season memorable for all of us, and for taking care of our fellow servicemembers, families, and community partners.

As we look around us, let's continue to make sure that we reach out to those who are without families, who may be alone or who may be longing for the holidays they used to know from a time before they joined our great team. All of us could use a little holiday cheer now and then so don't pass up on an opportunity to Enable Holiday Cheer!

In the movie, "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas," little Cindy Lou Who nominates the Grinch as the cheermeister because according to the "Book of Who," the cheermeister is the one who deserves a slap on the back or a toast. Though the Grinch was content to "wallow in self pity and stare into the abyss" he couldn't help but give into Cindy's pleading to join them for the celebration. Of course after wreaking havoc and trying to destroy Christmas, he sees that the Whos really do care about each other more than the gifts, trees, and things that represented the season.

As fellow Wingmen, we should take a cue from little Cindy and include those that tend to get left out. We need to continually show that we care for each other and not take people's efforts for granted. All these events and service projects take work and willing hands, so be sure to thank them for their efforts.

Meanwhile, AMC's Showcase Wing continues to deliver unrivaled Mobility Operations, deliver superior Support and Service, and Send combat ready warriors to the battlefront. And we do this continuously without fail. Indeed, it is also that time when we look at nominating outstanding performers for end-of-year awards and take stock of our goals and look to the coming year. Thank you for your mission focus, great attitude, and team approach. Enjoy the season and please take time when we can ... to Enable Holiday Cheer.