Happy Christmas, guys.
Keep yours eyes and ears peeled, your butt out of trouble, and your urine clean, and there will be more chances in the future.
I spent every major family holiday away from home, from 2002-2007 (except July 4, 2004).
But remember: You're buddies are there too, and they're stuck in the same boat. You're all away from home; but you have each other.
My most memorable Christmas away from home was very unhappy at the time. I spent 22 hours of that day as a passenger on a C-5, flying across an ocean, then between random way-points, and on to aerial refueling, cancelled approach clearances, and circling over bases near the intended destination (with a plethora of system failures, toilets overflowing, and more) ... because Gee Dub-ya made a surprise visit to the destination and no one was allowed below a certain flight level in the air space until he and Air Force One were out of there.
But, now I've got the story to tell, and my family loves me just the same.
A special shout out to my friends currently in unsavory places. -You know who you are.
(And I know that you know, because most of you have internet connections! [Times have changed.] Otherwise, I wouldn't have posted!)