Christmas During War


US troops pause to enjoy Christmas carols, even in a war zone.
Yes, soldiers still celebrate Christmas during war.

The celebrations are different from those at home, but our troops do pause to celebrate Christmas, even in a war zone.

We wish for them peace on this holy day, a break in the madness that is war.



American troops in Djibouti take time to sing Christmas carols.On this Christmas, we'd like to share with you a gallery of photos to let you see some of the ways our American troops celebrate Christmas during war, around the world.

We hope you'll take a minute during your Christmas celebrations to say a prayer for their safe return to their families.



Christmas during war


Regardless of their location or environment, military cooks do their best to create a festive meal to celebrate Christmas during war. It is a long-standing military tradition for officers to serve the meal to the troops on major holidays such as Christmas.

Festive meals for Christmas during war.

Nothing is more important to service members away from home, especially at Christmas during war, than hearing from loved ones. Here, a unit in Baghdad has posted Christmas letters on their bulletin board to share.

Christmas letters posted to share

And these tons of mail received onboard a US Navy aircraft carrier at sea in a Christmas Eve mail call will make Christmas during war better for about 5,000 sailors and Marines.

Christmas Eve mail call

If you've never been near a Navy base at Christmas time, take a look at the festive way our sailors decorate their ships for Christmas. It's a beautiful sight to behold.

US Navy ships decorated for Christmas at Naval Station San Diego.

Wherever you may be, we wish a very Merry Christmas to our men and women in uniform. Thank you for standing watch today and every day so that we may enjoy a peaceful Christmas celebration with our families. May you successfully complete your mission and return home safely to your families.

Merry Christmas!




If you haven't yet done so, be sure to post your own holiday messages of thanks to the troops.

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