By Sara Fudge
When I was about 10 years old my brother, who was 12 years older than me, was serving in the U.S. Marine Corp. He enlisted in the Marines in light of the pressing Vietnam War. As a child, I was naive to all the dynamics of his service to the United States, but an atmosphere of concern was ever present in our home while he was away.
Jim never talked much about his experience in the war, but his sense of humor remained in tack. Through letters he shared a few experiences while overseas like the time he missed Ann Margret’s Christmas performance to the soldiers because he “didn’t care for her singing.” Later we learned he was in the infirmary during her performance. He never wanted to worry us. He also told us of tossing candy to the Vietnamese children as their military trucks drove by, and how the little girls there had ponytails so tight it pulled back their pretty eyes.
I was told it was unusual for an enlisted soldier to miss more than one Christmas away from home, but for some reason, Jim was in combat two consecutive Christmases. When he finally returned home, our family celebrated a very special late Christmas with a huge welcome home. He came bearing gifts for all of us. My gift was a beautiful, little, oriental, outfit he brought me made of a golden colored silk. It’s still tucked away in my cedar chest for safe keeping. I wish I could remember more details of that Christmas. Just a few years after he completed his tour of duty, Jim died, so the few memories I have of him are precious. The Lord blessed my family with a Christmas to remember. I am so grateful the Lord brings special people into our lives who bless us and help shape us into people of faith. Thank you, Lord, for Jesus, the most special Christmas gift of all.
Dr. Sara Fudge serves as the Academic Dean for TCM International Institute.
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