DC Reflections

Christmas card to a recovering American soldier at Walter Reed

A friend of mine asked me if I would join her in writing Christmas cards to some soliders recovering from war wounds at Walter Reed Medical Center. Seems like the least we can do, so I thought I would share the first card I've written and ask that you take a few minutes and a few pennies to write a card yourself. Don't worry if they don't make it by Christmas day. It's the thought that counts.

The various programs helping generate such cards advise not to put your return address on the card itself (just the envelope) as the cards aren't designed to foster pen pal relationships. They also request that you not put anything in the cards such as small gifts. Just write what you have to say, sign it, and send it along. Below is the address and the first note I've written. Will you join me?

Address your card to: A Recovering American Solider

c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center

6900 Georgia Avenue NW

Washington DC 20307-5001

Dear Soldier:

Although no words can fully express my gratitude for the service and the sacrifice you've made for this country, I did want to say thank you.

Thank you for your courage, your dedication and your patriotism. Please know that you have countless countrymen who are just as grateful as I am for what you're doing. I can not imagine how difficult it must be to be wounded and then shipped to another strange place far from home to recover. I hope that you find the strength to fight through it and to find the happiness in this life that you so truly deserve.

Sincerely,

Christopher Lancette

I know the economy is bad but ...

How desperate do you have to be to apply for this job?

Saw this on the Metro. It's real.

Choir knocks out Scrooge at Mount Vernon Estates

The Mount Vernon High School Choir lifted me up and took me to a higher place on Saturday with a Christmas performance to remember. I'm not big on most holidays and Christmas music drives me up a wall, but there was a little magic in the air at George Washington's estate yesterday.

Perhaps it was the combination of the music and the setting, and the fact that the young singers were dressed in 18th Century garb --and that they were giving it everything they had. 

I spend a lot of time at Mount Vernon and I've observed its beauty on all kinds of different days and seasons, but I don't know that I've ever seen it as beautiful as it was decked out for the arrival of Santa Claus.

If you haven't paid your respects to our first president lately, you should visit soon. The Christmas spirit is there waiting for you.