Merry Christmas

Better than Charlie Brown's tree.

Christmas music was playing at the chow hall today.  You know, to make the holidays at least somewhat festive.  As we were standing in line to get our food, strains of "I'll be Home for Christmas" wafted through the air, which was a curious choice of song.  It was a little scratchy over the speakers, almost like it was being played on a gramophone player, like we were all in some kind of black and white movie, starring Humphery Bogart and Ingrid Magnussen.  You know, back when men were men, women were women, and chivalry wasn't dead.

The woman's voice on the recording sounded ghostly and a little ethereal.  All of us were dead silent, transfixed to the sounds coming out of the speakers, as the woman sang about snow and mistletoe; a wintry Christmas that was completely foreign to me.

Maybe a moment of self reflection was happening.  Maybe people were thinking about the wives, husbands, children, friends, and family that were left behind back at home.  People that are looking at their dinner table and seeing an empty spot where mom or dad, son or daughter used to be.

As the woman with the melancholy voice sang the familiar refrain "I'll be home for Christmas..." one of the guys in my unit said loudly and derisively "well, I won't."

And just like that, the spell was broken.  People in line, holding their trays, forks, knives, and spoons, chuckled, if only wistfully.  And life went on.  Just like it always does here.  Another day, another day. 

And as people started talking again, and the music was drowned out by the general bustle of the chow hall, the last lines of the song were barely heard, and largely ignored by the people in the building:

"I'll be home for Christmas,
If only in my dreams."

Adventures in Rules and Regulations

AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION 36-3103
1 May 1997
Personnel
IDENTIFICATION TAGS

COMPLIANCE WITH THIS PUBLICATION IS MANDATORY

This instruction outlines when and how identification (ID) tags are issued to Air Force members and when they are to be worn (or in the member’s possession).

"I be from Jamaica, mon.  Lord have mercy."

2. Issuance of ID Tags:

2.5.5. Fifth line - Designation of religious preference. Show religion or sect designated. If possible, spell out the preference. If member does not wish to designate a preference or make a statement, emboss NO RELIGIOUS PREF.