You, all our service people, are in my prayer list every day.

When I see coverage of the war in Iraq the messages are confusing and conflicting. It would be hard to know what to believe except that occasionally there are clips from people who are there or were there. Those people I do believe.

I am thankful that you have it in your heart to stand and serve, to keep us safe.

In case you get media messages about the people here, back home, that are confusing and conflicting, judge those messages by the source. A lot of us are just the way you remember us.

I spent Christmas with my neighbors and some of their extended family. We cooked piles of food, visited, sang some Christmas Carols (with guitar accompaniment), prayed, ate and opened the gifts. Then we pulled out the card table and a puzzle.

It may not be as worldly and exciting as some people like, but it's a way of life I appreciate you preserving.

God bless you and keep you.

Stay safe and well.

Marlene Farlin