The 2nd Infantry Division in S. Korea Celebrates The Holidays

Being in the military family brings many new experiences. There is the anticipated melancholy of being away from loved ones and family. Just when you think the holidays are going to be hum drum you are surprised with how the military family rallies.

Here in S. Korea on the various camps there have been all kinds of holiday celebrations, from tree lightings complete with Santa and awesome hot chocolate to concerts with the 8th Army Band and the Korean Kook Soo Ho Didimdance Company and choral fetes by the American High School and the Uijongbu Kindergarten!

Camp Casey and Yongsan even lit Menorahs in honor of the Jews in the military. I happen to be Jewish so I was very happy about not being left out.

Camp Casey during Chanukah

Tank Lighting Camp Casey in Dragon Valley

The Middle School Band at Camp Casey

The High School Choir at Camp Humphreys

The Korean Kindergarten at Camp Red Cloud

Santa Claus visitin Camp Red Cloud

The Korean people are very special. While most Koreans do not celebrate Christmas they take great joy  and pride in celebrating with us. I have enjoyed meeting the mayor of Uijongbu and his wife and the Mayor of Yangju and his wife and many other Korean dignitaries. They come to all of our community events in the spirit of friendship and the Alliance.

Many thanks to the Army photographers that took most of these photos.

Happy Holidays

2 Infantry Division Holidays

Home for the holidays: Being a soldier, often times means being away from your loved ones for the holidays and it can be a lonely time.

The military held Thanksgiving Dinners at all the DEFACs (Dining Facilities) in S. Korea and let me tell you they pulled out all the stops from roasted pig to lobster, the food was outstanding. The best part for me though was watching the Command Teams, serve the soldier. It's one day where the PFC can tell the General what he or she wants!

Here we have a chef, General Vandal, DCSM Spano, CSM Brinton serving up Thanksgiving dinner at the JSA (Joint Security Area) on the border of North and South Korea.

The Chefs

The Spread

We visited JSA, Camp Stanley, Camp Casey and then flew back to Camp Red Cloud for an awesome Thanksgiving dinner of our own. It was great to see so many soldiers enjoying enormous amounts of food and enjoying the football games on the big screens and listening to the band play live music. It was as good a Thanksgiving as you could get here in S. Korea, where we have a lot to be thankful for.

Besides all the wonderful people in my life and new adventures I was especially Thankful for one more helicopter ride in a Blackhawk. I didn't even mind the doors being on.