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From Lafayette, LA, USA, 4:50p: Today, most of the Western world celebrates the birth, 2,007 years ago, of Jesus Christ (on a totally arbitrary date that has much more to do with the remnants of ancient pagan midwinter rites than the actual chronological anniversary of the so-called Virgin Birth, but we won't go into that) by closing up shop, laying down tools and cares and gathering with family and friends.
Except, that is, for the people whose job it is to make sure the rest of us can enjoy such times at home and hearth in safety—police officers, ambulance drivers, doctors and nurses and orderlies and technicians in the emergency rooms of hospitals, traffic controllers and pilots and terminal agents and others at the airports, bus and rail stations...and firefighters like my younger brother, Capt. Douglas P. Leger of the Lafayette Fire Dept. here in the town of my own birth, who two years out of every five must give up his holiday to help keep the city's fire houses staffed over Christmas, ready to respond to the all-too-common fire begun by poorly-wired lights or gas stoves left on unattended. And also those who staff the few grocery, drug and other retail stores where necessities must remain available. And, of course, our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere around the world who are on post and on duty today, many far from their loved ones.
Today, as you enjoy your holiday, whether it be Christmas, Yule, Solstice, Kwanzaa or none at all, please spare a thought if you can for these people, who help keep the season bright...and safe. And wherever you may be today, and whatever you may be doing, may your holiday be filled with light, joy and peace and your new year happy, healthy and prosperous.
Except, that is, for the people whose job it is to make sure the rest of us can enjoy such times at home and hearth in safety—police officers, ambulance drivers, doctors and nurses and orderlies and technicians in the emergency rooms of hospitals, traffic controllers and pilots and terminal agents and others at the airports, bus and rail stations...and firefighters like my younger brother, Capt. Douglas P. Leger of the Lafayette Fire Dept. here in the town of my own birth, who two years out of every five must give up his holiday to help keep the city's fire houses staffed over Christmas, ready to respond to the all-too-common fire begun by poorly-wired lights or gas stoves left on unattended. And also those who staff the few grocery, drug and other retail stores where necessities must remain available. And, of course, our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere around the world who are on post and on duty today, many far from their loved ones.
Today, as you enjoy your holiday, whether it be Christmas, Yule, Solstice, Kwanzaa or none at all, please spare a thought if you can for these people, who help keep the season bright...and safe. And wherever you may be today, and whatever you may be doing, may your holiday be filled with light, joy and peace and your new year happy, healthy and prosperous.
