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• Tuesday, December 15, 2015

  A Christmas Message That Rings True Today

  By James V. Yermas
  Department Commander

  ALBANY — It’s quite festive here at Department of New York Headquarters.

  The stockings were hung by the entrance with care. And flags and ornaments adorn the tree there.

  

  Dept. Christmas Tree

  In fact, it’s lit up like a beacon proclaiming peace and joy.

  Despite the fact that we are engaged in a war on terror, it IS a joyous season.

  President Harry Truman thought so, too. Even with the Korean War breaking out in 1950, he took the time to extend Christmas greetings to all veterans. What’s interesting is he sent the letter to the commander of The American Legion as the representative of all U.S. military veterans.

  His words are worth repeating here, as my holiday message to you:

  “TO OUR VETERANS:

  In this joyous season, it gives me particular pleasure to send Christmas greetings to our veterans and their families everywhere.

  At Christmas, peace is uppermost in the minds of all Americans. I am convinced that events of the past year have made it clear that with faith to seek and determination to secure and maintain it, peace with freedom and justice can be firmly established on earth.”