CHRISTMAS 2005 Our Letter to the Marines

Merry Christmas Marine,          25 December 2006


During the past six months, while you and your fellow Marines have managed your mission, we back home have been busy, too. Operation Stocking Stuffer enlisted the support of about one hundred families and a few elementary schools near Gilbert, Arizona to sew stockings, provide items, fill stocking, and ship them to about 1400 deployed Marines. This effort has also seen the help of Americans from various states including Arizona, Maine, California, Oregon, Texas, Georgia, Florida and Washington. The opportunity to say thank you to each of you is such a blessing for all of us. The support for you is strong. We are eager for your work to be successfully completed so that you can rejoin us at home knowing that hope has been installed wherever you have been sent.

According to the Bible, hope, along with charity and faith, is among the greatest gifts that God gives us. Your efforts are bringing hope into places that have suffered from hopelessness for far too long. With hope comes the desire for a better life and a willingness to invest in that life. As the people in other countries and cultures embrace the hope that you bring, they will be more and more able to support themselves and stand stronger against those who attempt to oppress and dominate them.

As I write you this letter, there is much discussion in America regarding the Global War On Terror. There are a lot of differing viewpoints and opinions being expressed. Some are helpful; others appear to be less helpful. Please recognize that this is proper and appropriate within our American form of democracy, our republic. The freedom and liberty under which we live is given by the Creator, written in our Declaration of Independence and Constitution, and defended by you, our military.
 

• It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
• It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
• It is the soldier, not the organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
• It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.
  
   - Father Dennis Edward O'Brian, USMC

Your efforts elsewhere are also creating the opportunity for others to honestly discuss alternatives to issues that are important to them. One day, they will be able to be involved in the process of governing themselves. Indeed it has already begun in some places that have not before known liberty. Be encouraged, and of good faith, for the hope that is being manifest. It need not be acknowledged by the reporter, the poet, the activist or the politician to be real. It simply must exist within the hearts of men and women who choose to make it real in their own lives.
 
During WWII, the “Greatest Generation” saw hope prevail as fascism was vanquished in Europe. Some have called you the “Next Greatest Generation”, but that places you subordinate to those brave Americans who went before you. You, however, stand subordinate to no one. Rather, you are a “Generation of Hope” encouraging people all over the world to shake off their hopelessness and replace it with a vision of liberty.


As we see that this is happening, we are encouraged, because it brings us closer to having you back home with us. What a wonderful and glorious reunion we expect. Until then, continue forward in your mission of hope. You are the “Generation of Hope”. Keep up the good fight and know that we respect your honor, courage and commitment,
 

Operation Stocking Stuffer
 1519 E. Hearne Way
Gilbert, Arizona 85234