Christmas In Bosnia

Thu., Dec. 25, 1997

A letter home

Sgt. Ken Nettleton, the Army reservist who wrote this letter, lives with his wife and their 11 children in Dayton, Wash. He’s an X-ray technican for the 396th Combat Support Hospital on assignment in Bosnia.

The tree is up and decorated. The stockings hung with care. The tree in the square was lit the other night with members of the community singing Christmas carols.

My co-workers have planned the office party and gift exchange. The Christmas season is here.

The only difference is, we’re in Bosnia.

I won’t be with my loved ones, taking the kids to grandma’s and eating our dinner there. I missed the Christmas concert. It was Elizabeth’s first band concert. It’s Nicholas’ first Christmas.

It is easy to be homesick. I love and miss my family very much. But in a way, being here is also in the Christmas spirit.

Friends and family back home have sent us things to pass on to the orphans. We’re helping to prevent more violence.

Many of the local Bosnians are Muslim and do not celebrate Christmas. But I think they can share the Christmas sentiment of “Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men.”

Local journalism is essential.

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