Greetings to everyone!
As time continues to tick by as quick as can be, 2017 is drawing closer to the end and the holidays are just around the corner. Holidays are a time spent with family and friends, with all differences put aside and love being shared as many reminisce over the years, honoring those who may be gone, and welcoming new members into the circle.
However, imagine not being able to do something that we civilians take for granted. Imagine having to spend the holidays thousands of miles away from family and friends, in a land different from one that you know.
As civilians, we sometimes forget those that are away from their families during the holidays, fighting so that we can live freely in our country without worry. Being deployed on Christmas can be an emotionally charged, tricky time for military personnel and their families. However, this time does not have to be all bad if military personnel and their families understand their support system, can spend time with other friends or military personnel during the holiday period, and practice fun traditions as a means to beat the sadness that may set in during this difficult time of the year.
Having a support system is always important for military personnel – reserve or not – and their families to have. Military personnel may have their family or friends as their support system, or may seek support from other members while on deployment during the holidays. During this time of year, military personnel can seek comfort in their fellow military members who are feeling the same emotions during a holiday deployment, while in turn, military families can seek support through the holiday period from family members and other friends that may be understanding and having the same feelings that they are feeling. Another supportive action during holiday deployments can include military individuals receiving care packages or video calls from family and friends, expressing their support and well wishes from afar. Also, while on deployment, military members can take the time to call and connect with family and friends back home as well.
Spending time with people whom are expressing the same emotions during holiday deployments can be a way to help overcome the sadness that is associated with this time. As stated before, holiday deployments are very tricky for all military members and their families, whether the members are on reserve or not. Either way, if there is a holiday deployment, it is difficult. With this being said, it is also important for military members to spend some time with their fellow military guys; simply enjoying time together and talking to each other to combat any ill feelings towards being deployed on Christmas. Perhaps military members can have a dinner together for Christmas in the area of which they are deployed, and they can also gain understanding that these individuals can be part of their support system as well.
The same thought goes for military families struggling to combat the feelings towards having their loved ones deployed during the holiday period. Maybe one military family can spend time with another, sharing any feelings and just having more support around to combat the feelings. Military families can also come together and send care packages to their loved ones, and they too can understand that no only family and other friends are a support system, but other military families can be a support system as well. Spending time with fellow military individuals during this time can be a great way to combat any holiday blues that are felt with having a loved one away on deployment during the holidays, and of course, it can help military members to feel a little better about being away on deployment by spending time with fellow military individuals.
In connecting with spending time with fellow military, Christmas deployments can be a little better with military members and/or their families practicing holiday traditions. During the long weeks away on deployment, there is a chance of military members being able to think of ways to make the Christmas season a little better. Perhaps incorporating Christmas decorations into the area of deployment can be a way to combat any sad feelings, though this should be done in good taste and without showing disrespect to the cultures or traditions of the country or area in which you are deployed. Singing Christmas Carols together is another holiday tradition for military members to practice, and of course, spending time in local communities of deployment and perhaps doing charity related things can be a great way to cope with a holiday deployment.
These practices can tie in with military families as well. Practicing holiday traditions often help individuals slip into a “holiday mood”, so of course, it is important now and helps to cope with holiday deployments. Families can go out in their local community, and maybe connect with other military families and conduct charity related events in relation to the holiday season. Families can also practice the tradition of singing Christmas carols, and could too incorporate Christmas decorations to cope with the deployment. A final touch in coping with deployment for military families is to decorate a picture of a loved one that is away on deployment, to help feel like the person is still joining in with holiday traditions as well which is great to cope with the holiday traditions.
Holiday deployments can be difficult for military personnel and their families. However, using these tactics – understanding the support system, practicing holiday traditions, and spending time with fellow military personnel or military families, can definitely help to combat any “holiday blues” that come along with deployments during the holidays. Though sometimes we as civilians forget about the military personnel and families that are not able to spend time together during the holidays and though it is difficult, we American people are truly grateful for those serving our country. We hope that the holidays can be great for you.