1. AS WE ENTER THE FESTIVE SEASON, I EXTEND MY BEST WISHES TO THE MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM, TO THE CIVILIAN MEMBERS OF THE DEFENCE TEAM, AND TO YOUR FAMILIES, WHO PROVIDE THE SUPPORT WE NEED TO HELP MAKE OUR CANADIAN FORCES WHAT IT IS.
2. THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS A TIME FOR REST AND REFLECTION. WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH A YEAR OF SIGNIFICANT CHANGE, WITH NEW LEADERSHIP, NEW RESOURCES, A NEW DEFENCE POLICY, AND THE BEGINNING OF A NEW APPROACH TO DEFENCE. WE ARE ON THE PATH OF TRANSFORMATION TO BUILD A COMMAND STRUCTURE THAT WILL ALLOW US TO BETTER MEET THE CHALLENGES OF A CHANGING SECURITY ENVIRONMENT. WE HAVE ALSO LAUNCHED A NEW MISSION IN AFGHANISTAN AND PROVIDED INVALUABLE ASSISTANCE TO PEOPLE IN DISTRESS AT HOME AND ABROAD.
3. THIS IS ALSO A TIME TO LOOK AHEAD, AND IN 2006 WE WILL BE IMPLEMENTING AND CONTINUING THE CHANGES WE INTRODUCED IN 2005. TO PREPARE FOR ANOTHER BUSY YEAR, TAKE TIME WITH YOUR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS TO RELAX AND ENJOY YOURSELVES. ALSO, THINK OF ALL OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM, AND OUR CIVILIANS, DEPLOYED ON MISSIONS ABROAD, WHO WILL NOT GET HOME TO SHARE FAMILY TRADITIONS WITH THEIR LOVED ONES. BE MINDFUL OF THEIR WELL-BEING AND SAFETY AS THEY SERVE OUR GREAT COUNTRY AND WORK TO PROVIDE STABILITY AND SECURITY SO THAT OTHERS MAY SOMEDAY ENJOY THE SAME FREEDOMS THAT WE DO.
4. AS THE YEAR OF THE VETERAN DRAWS TO A CLOSE, REMEMBER THOSE WHO WENT BEFORE US, AND THE SACRIFICES THEY MADE. WE OWE OUR FREEDOMS TO THOSE VETERANS, TO THEIR FALLEN COMRADES, AND TO ALL OF YOU WHO NOW CARRY THE TORCH.

   

well said Hester, well said.

   

you forgot the mandatory end para:

5. REMEMBER TO ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAY SEASON WITHOUT INCIDENT. IF YOU DRINK AND DRIVE, DON'T CALL ME TO BAIL YOU OUT UNTIL YOU'VE SOBERED UP - I CAN'T BEAT AN INTOXICATED PERSON

   

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love you all... *tear*

   

Could you inamgine if the CDS shed a tear for any of his troops over the holidays! lol

   

lol...hey I like your avatar!!

   

And we all Love You HB!!!

   

awwww thanks! I feel so loved... *fans herself* lol

oh and bossdog, when I said I liked your avatar, I was really thinking of your signature, but your avatar is funny too!

   

It's always nice to be home spending time with family and friends during the Christmas period. To all our men and women in uniform serving abroad, I certainly know the feeling to be away from family and loved ones - best wishes and Merry Christmas!

   

true that