Dear Editor,
Christmas is once again approaching quickly.
Actually, we have been reminded of Christmas since August as retailers began to decorate and load the shelves. Lost in all this is Thanksgiving. A day for families and friends to come together, spend time, and enjoy each other. Most of all to give thanks for the many blessings we have. Our society has become so materialistic, that we seem to forget the smallest things can be a great blessing.
Once again, our large retailers found a way to impose on Thanksgiving even more. The ads started earlier and the competition to see who could open the earliest began. Employees had to leave their families to work and many left their families to shop. Is saving a few extra bucks actually worth losing family time? Precious time that is lost more and more with life’s busy schedules.
With all this we have begun to teach our children that Christmas is about a gift, who has the most under the tree or the biggest. “Tis the season to give” has lost its true meaning. With Toys For Tots, Secret Santa and other wonderful programs, many children will have a Christmas. For some, this will be the only opportunity for Christmas and they are grateful that someone is kind enough to care.
Often forgotten or overlooked are the men and women who have fought to keep our country safe.
Three years ago, I learned that many Wounded Warriors are unable to travel home for the holidays or have family come visit with them. I had never really realized the impact on the soldier’s that are left behind to spend Christmas alone in the barracks. This has a tremendous emotional impact on top of what they have been through for our country. I was appalled when I learned the consequences of being left behind. Thus began the idea of “Christmas In The Country”.
This year we will host Soldier’s for the third year. This one event has caused people to realize just how much we take for granted. In the last two years, I have watched a soldier decorate a tree for the first time; another admit it was the first time he had opened Christmas presents on Christmas morning; and another ask for a warm coat, even if it came from a Thrift Shop. But the one comment heard the most and the one that gets to me every time is, “I didn’t realize that people really cared.” The five days spent in our area, send many of these soldiers back with changed attitudes, a new family and a second home.
These soldiers freely sign up to protect our country, serve long periods of time overseas, witnessing things we can never imagine. We as a society often don’t stop and think about how rough the holidays can be on these men and women, especially when they are alone.
I do realize that the holidays are busy and are a time to spend with family as it should be. But I ask that you stop and think about these men and women who are not with family. They love the company, and appreciate the time families take to come out to visit. From these visits they realize that people do care. The sweets and goodies make their eyes light up like a small child! We do our best to make them feel at home and try to give them a Christmas like they might have experienced if they were at home. In my eyes, it’s the very least we can do, considering what they have done for us. But it takes a community to make it really work.
If you can take the time, please come visit and thank a soldier. You can also join us in welcoming them to Barnwell with a parade on Friday, Dec. 23 at 1:30 p.m. When they come up the hill and see the people waving flags, and cheering, not one soldier has a dry eye. They are amazed that people would do this for them. These small simple things can change a person for a lifetime.
For more information, please feel free to contact me at anytime, 803-541-1941. Also, directions and more information will be in the Dec. 21 edition of The People-Sentinel.
From “Christmas In The Country” we wish each of you a Blessed and Merry Christmas.

Sincerely,
Holly M. Rimes,
Kline