AssociatedPress | December 24, 2010 |
International troops in Afghanistan celebrated Christmas Eve in Kabul with intimate religious services, Christmas carols, a special meal and a glass of bubbly. American soldiers based in camp Phoenix in the capital Kabul attended a Protestant Candlelight service.
And from Winnipeg Free Press:
Canadian troops in Afghanistan gather for special Christmas Eve mass in Kandahar
Posted: 24/12/2010 9:30 AM
STEVE RENNIE / THE CANADIAN PRESS
U.S. Navy commander and chaplain Lewis Dolan leads a multi-denominational mass Friday at Kandahar Airfield. Troops at this NATO base in southern Afghanistan are celebrating Christmas by decorating trees and doing last-minute shopping on the boardwalk.
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - They gathered in a simple wooden chapel in a faraway land to do something quintessentially Canadian: sing Christmas songs.
These being the famed Van Doos from Valcartier, Que., they sang traditional French Christmas carols, such as "Peuple fidele" and "Il est ne le divin enfant."
Maybe for a few minutes they forgot they were so far from home.
The night before Christmas at Kandahar Airfield in southern Afghanistan was a festive affair, capped by a late-night mass attended by about 100 Canadian troops.
It was a day when soldiers paired desert camouflage fatigues with red Santa hats. The wooden boardwalk was abuzz with last-minute shoppers looking for that perfect gift for colleagues or to send back home — albeit a bit late.
Others packed the Internet cafe to email or call loved ones at home.
Soldiers have been in the Christmas spirit all week. Every corner of the boardwalk was festooned with ornaments and paper signs from various NATO countries. The Canadians hung a sled with a red maple leaf painted on its front. The Americans went with a cardboard mantle and faux fireplace. The British had a Christmas tree.
A gargantuan Christmas tree bedecked in ornaments and lights stood next to the ball-hockey rink at the far corner of the boardwalk. After sundown, the tiny lights strung along wooden beams twinkled like stars.
Down at the Canadian part of the base, troops lined up at Tim Hortons to be served by cashiers sporting Mrs. Claus-inspired pink toques with white trim and pompoms.
Later, as the setting sun set tinged the sky with splashes of red and purple, soldiers from all countries gathered at the boardwalk for a special, multi-denominational mass. (here)
And HERE'S news video from the CBC..[*I don't know how to download that.]
Then there is this:
Video compiled for the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who are in the Iraq/Afghanistan War. Let us all remember that these troops are away from there friends, family, and loves ones who are protecting our freedom and in harms way. We all wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. God Speed to our United States Armed Forces around the globe. You can also view this video at www.sageebr.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment