Straight Talk With Sam: Christmas' Past and Present

Statement

As Christmas quickly approaches, I find myself thinking about events that happened 60 years ago this week. Fighting Nazis in France, the 101st Airborne found themselves in perilous danger. Freezing, short on provisions and hopelessly out-gunned the 101st held on to achieve one of the seminal moments in World War II.

The Americans had fought their way into the town of Bastogne ahead of the German offensive known as the Battle of the Bulge. The advancing German Army had surrounded them. A message from the German Commander to the American Commander advised them to surrender in 48 hours or face total annihilation.

General Anthony McAuliffe scribbled a note and had it delivered to the German Commander. His reply, "Nuts."
The next day the skies cleared and American Cargo planes and P-47 Thunderbolts were able to aid them in their fight. Exhausted, they repulsed attacks from the Germans until troops under the command of General George S. Patton arrived to relieve them of defending the town.

Once again American men and women are fighting overseas during Christmas. They are fighting terrorists in Iraq in order to keep us safe at home. Though it is certainly difficult to have them away from home for the holidays, we can be proud of the outstanding job they do everyday.

On this Christmas, I ask for everyone to say a prayer for those Americans serving overseas and away from their families. I also want to thank them for their service. And for everyone, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

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