Dear Editor,

The holidays, for most soldiers, is just like any other workday. With the global war on terrorism during the last few years, many soldiers have spent the holidays on the frontline defending our country.

Soldiers in the Warrior Transition Battalion (WTB) in Ft Gordon, Ga. are recovering from injuries that occurred during war or training for war. With time, they will either heal, return to duty or be transitioned out of the military to start the next phase of their lives.

For the 2009 holiday season, these soldiers did not have to carry weapons and were back on U.S. soil for the holidays, but still could not make it home to be with their families.

It was soon to be Christmas, the thought of sleeping on a hard, small bed in a room smaller than most people's bathroom and being alone for Christmas would depress anyone.

When the soldiers were informed of "Christmas in the Country," some soldiers took the opportunity. Some soldiers did not take the opportunity because they might not yet feel comfortable around other people, especially someone they did not know.

From the very first moment we arrived in Barnwell we knew this was going to be a special Christmas.

We felt awkward at first when we realized that there was a parade to welcome us to a community we had never been to. We were not dressed in uniform and most could not walk long distances due to injuries. We quickly learned it was not "the uniform" that the people came out to welcome; it was the soldier coming to a new "home" for Christmas.

Spc. Ernesto Gonzalez (a.k.a. New York) said it best about how this made the soldiers feel: "The fireman standing on the side of the road with the American flag hanging down while they saluted us was very emotional, and made us feel very appreciated."

When we drove up to Graham's Turnout, it was like driving up to your own family's home with Christmas decorations everywhere.

"It was like something out of a movie," said Capt. Timothy Gust.

Our soon-to-be-new family Holly and Randy (Rimes) and our new little brother Tyler (Rimes) were waiting for us. And they did an incredible job with the Christmas decorations.

When we were told, "Hope you don't mind if a few people come by to visit," we had no idea that so many would take time out of their holiday to come out to talk to us.

"It was great to meet all the vets that had come to support us," said Pvt. Brandon Johnson.

Awkwardness quickly went away as we were greeted by so many people from the local church that came to sing Christmas carols, and to being entertained by a gentleman wearing a Scottish kilt. Tom Cuny and his wife Pam, entertained us our first night by playing the bagpipes and telling wonderful Irish and Scottish stories and jokes, while sitting around a fire and learning the art of making s'mores.

Christmas morning was a better than any of us could have ever dreamed.

For several of us, it was our first Christmas in the United States in two years. The presents the soldiers received on Christmas morning weren't just gift cards - they were actual gifts the soldiers got to unwrap.

The attention to detail, so the soldiers would enjoy their holiday, was more than we ever expected. Everything this community did was from their hearts and we could tell they really cared about us and they were glad we came.

While we were there we never had to cook. Every day there a new group of people came out to cook breakfast, lunch and dinner and to sit by the fire and visit with us.

The homemade food, cakes and candies never stopped coming. Many of the soldiers commented on how the food reminded them of different family members like grandma's pie or mom's dressing.

It is rare to see a community come together with such support and care for people they have never met. Thank you to each and all who sent cards, came to visit and sent so many treats and food. You made each of us feel like part of your community and each of you now have a special place in our heart and we feel we each now have a second home and family in Barnwell, S.C.

A very special thank you to the students at the primary and elementary schools. You did help to "change our Christmas" and made it one of the best we have ever had. You are the heart and soul of your town and we hope you will always know that you made our Christmas very special.

For many of us this was the best Christmas that we had ever had.

From all the soldiers of the WTB from Fort Gordon, Ga. we want to thank you for a very special Christmas that we will remember forever.

Most of all thank you for "The unexpected love and support!"

Sincerely,
Crystal Subia, Dave Dotson, Tim Gust, Evan Montoya, James White, Keith Lunde, Ernesto Gonzalez, Brandon Johnson, Larry Winfield, Philip Girardin, Consuelo Russell, Edward Jackson