The spirit of the season: giving

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Joseph Rushlau
  • 376th Expeditionary Maintenance Group commander
MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan (AFNS) --  Those of us deployed to Manas Air Base are rolling into the holiday season. We just passed Thanksgiving, which most of us would normally like to celebrate with family and friends back in the United States. 

While I think most of us had a great time celebrating here with wonderful food and plenty of fellowship, I'm sure most of the Airmen, like me, couldn't help but think of the typical Thanksgiving at home. Spending time with my wife, children and our friends is always a good time, especially during the holidays.

With the advent of the holiday season, Airmen here may wonder how exactly they will get to celebrate so far from home and their loved ones. I would challenge you to think about the spirit of the holiday season we have just entered. You may not realize that Manas AB Airmen are celebrating every day because the true spirit of this season is about GIVING and that is exactly what we do here.

Think about it. The mission at Manas AB is aerial refueling, passenger movement and warrior care. We give to support many different people day in and day out. The season of giving is a year round experience at Manas AB.

We also get support from many different people -- not just our co-workers in the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing. We all know that some of our comrades have given their lives to ensure the rest of us keep the gift of freedom. To sacrifice is to give, and there is no greater act of giving than what these warriors have done for their nation and the cause of freedom.

We may not face the same level of dangers at Manas AB, but we do sacrifice. We have all given up time at home with our families and friends so we can give support to our brothers and sisters in arms during this time of war. What a great example of the holiday spirit of giving.

I see giving from the heart every day with the service so many of the base Airmen provide to our great outreach organizations on off-duty time, including the Manas Service Organization and Manas Air Base Outreach Society. Many Airmen here have gone out and given time to the people in the local communities. If you don't think this is a great example of holiday spirit, look again -- it's there in the smiles on the faces of the children. If you think you are going to miss the smiles around the Christmas tree this holiday season, spend some time at a local school or orphanage and I think you will be satisfied.

In our culture, we sometimes get focused on the material things we give and get, but what is the most precious gift you can give another person? The answer is your time and your attention. At Manas AB, we give our time and attention to people as part of our jobs. Offer some of your personal time and spend a few minutes outside work with your co-workers and neighbors in the local communities. The gift of one's attention and time is not soon forgotten.

A famous philosopher, Francis of Assisi, once said, "It is in giving that we receive." So, if you want to feel the holiday spirit of giving, I encourage you to give some of your own time to help someone else. By taking care of one another, everyone will feel the spirit of the holiday season.

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