Veterans from all generations are connected by selfless service, sacrifice and the belief that they are protecting something greater than themselves. No matter where they are sent, they bring their traditions with them, and Christmas is no exception.

Christmas mail arrives at Bruvans, France, 1917 much to the joy and happiness of the U.S. servicemen

Christmas mail arrives at Bruvans, France, 1917 much to the joy and happiness of the U.S. servicemen

 

Pfc. Edmund Dill opens the Christmas package received from his wife. His buddies share the treat. Left, Pfc. Carl Anker; Right, Sergt. Ted Bailey. ETO, 11/18/44

Pfc. Edmund Dill opens the Christmas package received from his wife. His buddies share the treat. Left, Pfc. Carl Anker; Right, Sergt. Ted Bailey. ETO, 11/18/44

Seated at a box in a storehouse for artillery shells, in Germany, Pvt. Walter E. Prsybyla, member of the 2nd Infantry Division, addresses Christmas cards to the folks back home. 11/30/44. B Btry, 37th FA, 2nd Inf. Div., FUSA, Heckhalenfeld, Germany.

Seated at a box in a storehouse for artillery shells, Pvt. Walter E. Prsybyla, member of the 2nd Infantry Division, addresses Christmas cards to the folks back home.  B Btry, 37th FA, 2nd Inf. Div., FUSA, Heckhalenfeld, Germany.

A Christmas package for happy Corporal Robert B. Chamberlin, member of a United States Marine Corps unit stationed in the southwestern Pacific. Christmas for this Marine Corps unit will lack the proverbial trimmings on this island of coconut palms and bananas, but packages and mail from home helped make up for that.

A Christmas package for happy Corporal Robert B. Chamberlin, member of a United States Marine Corps unit stationed in the southwestern Pacific. Christmas for this Marine Corps unit will lack the proverbial trimmings on this island of coconut palms and bananas, but packages and mail from home helped make up for that.

Sitting around a miniature Christmas tree and opening a Christmas package are (front row, left to right) S/Sgt. John F. Suchanek; and Pfc. Joseph G. Pierro; and (back row) Sgt. Charles M. Myrich; and Sgt. Leon L. Oben. All are members of F. A. Bn., 3rd Div. Pietramelara, Italy. December 16, 1943.

Sitting around a miniature Christmas tree and opening a Christmas package are (front row, left to right) S/Sgt. John F. Suchanek; and Pfc. Joseph G. Pierro; and (back row) Sgt. Charles M. Myrich; and Sgt. Leon L. Oben. All are members of F. A. Bn., 3rd Div. Pietramelara, Italy. December 16, 1943.

Personnel on the USS Lexington celebrate Christmas with make-shift decorations and a helmeted Santa Claus (December 1944).

Personnel on the USS Lexington celebrate Christmas with make-shift decorations and a helmeted Santa Claus (December 1944).

Bob Hope and Ann Jillian perform at the USO Christmas Tour during Operation Desert Shield

Bob Hope and Ann Jillian perform at the USO Christmas Tour during Operation Desert Shield

Washington Crossing the Delaware, by Emanuel Leutze, 1851.

Who can forget General Washington Crossing the Delaware? Painting by Emanuel Leutze, 1851.

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9 Comments

  1. Rusty Armstrong December 31, 2014 at 12:47

    Great pictures – I have lost mine from 1969.
    I shared a package of “candy loot” from my wife with my platoon in a damp and cold bunker on the I Corps boundry in Vietnam.
    We were still “festive” and the Army came through with a great meal!
    All my best

  2. Paul Tenenbaum December 28, 2014 at 14:20

    Are additional photos available from Korea 1951-1952. I was unable to take pictures having lost my camera. Or, could you advise if you publish such photos.
    Thank you and Happy New Year.

  3. Rebecca December 26, 2014 at 04:56

    I appreciate the tribute. I feel the tribute could be better served by showing pictures from the period between Vietnam and Iraq, roughly from 1973 to 2002. Thanks much.

  4. http://debtconsolidationv.com December 25, 2014 at 13:18

    I think Veterans are protecting something greater than themselves!…
    Merry Christmas !

  5. George Schramek December 25, 2014 at 11:33

    God bless to all of our troops worldwide, from a fellow Air Force veteran 1976-1998.

  6. Eduardo Zabaleta December 25, 2014 at 00:36

    Wao … increíble…. como mantienen el espíritu de cuerpo ..FELICIDADES por semejante demostración de compañerismo, camaradería y amistad .. entre los miembros de las fuerzas armadas de U.S.A ………… como dicen en el cuerpo de marines ..SEMPER FIDELIS (SEMPER FI)

  7. John Garza December 24, 2014 at 23:33

    Even though some of my comrades saw Hope on one of his shows back in 69 or 70 in Viet=Nam I was not fortunate to get to see him!! In Ton Son Knut air base or in or at 9ID in Dong Tam!! I have fond memories of yesteryear and have some issue still during holidays!! Thanks for the memories and God Bless the USA!!

  8. patrick jahnke December 24, 2014 at 17:10

    What about the homeless veteran I seen a pic veteran. And his best buddies cuddling with him thier labs in city park!!!!!!!!!!

  9. giacomo December 24, 2014 at 12:36

    AUGURI DI BUON NATALE a tutte le forze Armate Statunitensi che stanno operando per la pace nel MONDO.

    MERRY CRISTMASd

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