OPINION: Reflecting on a Christmas past… It's about service

It’s a dozen years later and much of the “Holiday Letter” I sent to family and friends in the early hours of Christmas Day 2003 still holds true. Far from loved ones this holiday, thousands of U.S. airmen, soldiers, Marines, and sailors are deployed in Afghanistan, Iraq and remote locations around the world protecting our way of life and the freedoms we hold dear. They sacrifice much in the service of others, and all too often pay the ultimate price for that most precious gift of freedom.

Here is my letter home, dated Dec. 25, 2003, 2:08 a.m.:

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Happy Holidays from Afghanistan. It’s half past midnight (now Christmas Day) and we just got back from visiting the young security forces who are guarding Bagram Airfield. We drove around for about three hours visiting with these brave professionals, bringing them hot beverages (coffee and hot chocolate) and warm wishes as they stood guard at their post in the freezing temperatures. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week they protect the people and resources assigned/located here.

Our mission — that is the mission of the 455th Expeditionary Operations Group — is to fly combat sorties providing close air support to U.S. and Coalition ground forces. Hundreds of airmen work to make that mission possible. We are taking the fight to the enemy in order to protect our homeland and ensure the security of the United States. We serve proudly so all Americans can live safely and enjoy the freedoms we all hold dear.

It’s humbling when I contrast that to the poverty-stricken Afghanis and realize how little they have. Simple things like clean drinking water, a clinic, or a school are dreams to the people of this country who have known only decades of war and oppression. And yet they remain resilient and optimistic. I’ve had the opportunity to visit with village elders, laborers… even children... and they seem genuinely glad we are here. We, as Americans, are blessed and often take so much for granted.

I am proud of the military service members deployed here. Many of the airmen volunteered to come, and everyone in today’s military is a volunteer. They… and thousands like them… are deployed far from home, away from family and friends, living under austere conditions, protecting America’s national interests and ensuring the freedoms of all Americans. Their sacrifices are great: one airman indicated this is her fourth Christmas away from home; others have newborn babies they have never seen; still others have missed birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and more. And yet I have not heard a single complaint. Morale is high and each airman has an intense sense of purpose. These airmen take great pride in what they are doing.

Thank you for your friendship and continued support of our Armed Forces. I also appreciate you letting me share this experience and tell you how proud I am to serve our nation.

Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

LES A. KODLICK, Lt. Col., USAF

Commander, 455th Expeditionary Support Squadron

455th Expeditionary Operations Group

Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan

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Bagram Air Base remains an important location and almost 10,000 U.S. troops from all services are deployed to Afghanistan. Today, we are once again reminded of the cost of freedom as six U.S. service members were killed and two injured in an attack near the base. May we never forget their sacrifice.

As a career military professional, I’ve often been asked why I joined the Air Force and in particular about my tour of duty in Afghanistan. For me it is rather straightforward. It’s about serving others; it’s about being part of something bigger than yourself; and it’s about future generations with the hope that some day the world will know peace. Until then, I am thankful for the thousands of selfless men and women who volunteer to serve this country in defense of freedom. What better gift is there?

To quote Martin Luther King Jr., “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”

During this holiday season, let us be grateful for the simplest of blessings, treasure our family and friends, and thank America’s veterans — past and present — for their service and sacrifice. May God bless America and those who serve.

Happy Holidays!

Kodlick is a retired Air Force brigadier general who moved to Kalispell after serving almost 30 years in uniform. During his career he had 15 different assignments including a combat tour in Afghanistan where he served as the “mayor” of Bagram Air Base in 2003- 2004.