Those serving: There are many families that won't be complete this holiday

It was heartwarming to see and to read about Antoinette Gibson's Goldsboro homecoming.

It had to touch every mother's heart to see not only a mom reunited with her twin daughters, but to see that mother's mother so happy her daughter would be home for Christmas.

That is what this holiday is all about.

But as we celebrate with that family, we should think about the many others that will be minus one this holiday season.

There are hundreds of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base airmen who will not be with their families this Christmas.

They are serving their country thousands of miles away -- just like thousands of other men and women who are part of this nation's armed forces.

Many of them will miss precious family moments as well as the joy of seeing their mothers, fathers, sons and daughters.

They sacrifice much to take care of the country they have promised to serve.

This community does much to support the men and women who serve. It only takes a whisper of a need to have donations flood in.

But as we sit down with our own families to mark this holiday, we need to remember those who are also serving -- the families left behind.

So pause a moment and say a prayer for not only the safety of those who are serving, but for a happy holiday for the families who are waiting for them.

They deserve our gratitude, too.

Published in Editorials on December 23, 2013 10:43 AM