The following post was written by Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol, of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs Department. You can read his orginal article here.

It’s 5:30 a.m. on a Christmas morning and I’m waiting for a flight that will take me through Afghanistan and then over to my deployed location in Southwest Asia. I can’t help but think, “Is this a great way to spend Christmas?” My answer to myself is simple:  It depends.

I say it depends because it is all in the eye of the beholder. For me, being deployed on Christmas boils down to the simple fact that someone has to be away from home during times like this and now it’s my turn. Is it what I wish for? No, but what I wish for has no bearing on the fact that as an American Airman, my duty to my country is as important as those duties to my family.

With that said, I have some deployed Christmas wishes and would like to express some thankfulness to many who stand by us while deployed.

Wishes
First, I wish for my family — my wife, children, grandchildren, mother and father, brothers and sisters — and many others to have the happiest of holidays. I hope their time together, even though I’m not there, is as joyous as it can be. I love them all and pray for their well being every day.

Second, I wish for those who have been deployed and returning home at this time of year to know that I thank them for holding down the fort. I thank them for doing the hard work of defending our freedoms in far away places so everyone can enjoy a happy and safe holiday season back in the comfort of their homes.

Next, I wish for continued success for all the Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines I’m deployed with for the next number of months. May we all come home safe and pronounce to our families that we have been successful in our deployed duties.

Giving thanks
In my 18 years of military service, there is little doubt I would have made it this far without the support of one very special person: my wife Bobbi. To her I am so thankful for not only what she has done for me, but for all of the Air Force as well.

Bobbi has spent many years volunteering to make life better for our Air Force families, all without asking for anything in return.  If “service before self” could apply to someone, it’s her. Her countless thousands of hours supporting families of deployed members, the military community in general, and me and our family should not go without mention. She is my one true wingman and without her, going on what is now my seventh deployment would not be possible. Thank you, Bobbi, and I love you for all you do.

I’m also thankful for the people who support our military. On my way to Southwest Asia, there were so many people who did many things to make the transition from being at home station to being deployed much easier. From those volunteers who spent their time in airport terminals helping military members feel more at home in an unfamiliar place to those in my hometown who wish only the best of success for my deployment, I want to say thank you for your support. The people behind the scenes who provide the support for the military are our unheralded heroes and I thank you.

I also want to thank my Air Force family. Wherever I go, no matter the location, seeing a friendly Airman’s face is beyond comforting. To be around people of moral character and this professional caliber makes me proud to be among them. Thank you America’s Airmen. You are truly the best.

As this Christmas day passes, and as I board the Air Mobility Command airlifter that will take me to my new home away from home, I’ll keep all of what I said as a solid reminder that serving in our military is a privelege and all those who stand behind us are special people.

Thanks to all and to all a very happy holiday season!