Troops continue to spread Christmas cheer

COB Q-WEST — The halls have been decked with festive paper decorations, desks adorned with sparkling Christmas trees, and windows ornamented with snowmen and snowflakes.

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Although many in the Connecticut-based unit may be nostalgic for a white Christmas, many Soldiers are happy to be blessed with warm, temperate weather this time of year, especially the bn's asst ops officer, 1st Lt. Cecilio Mendez, a native of Puerto Rico, who still wishes it were warmer, as he bundles up in cold-weather gear every day. Tinsel and snowflakes aside, warming the hearts of the Soldiers are the care packages sent from all over the U.S. The packages are sometimes sent by loved ones, but are often sent by strangers, including orgs such as Op Gratitude, the American Legion, and other schools and groups. "It's amazing to me still after 7 years the amount of prayer and love that is extended to us," Capt. Amy Noble, the bn's chaplain, said of the gifts. "I'm sure everyone will gain 5 lbs. of love this holiday season," she said, jesting at the table of cookies in the Tactical Ops Center. And though the Soldiers won't be gathering around a twinkling tree on Christmas morning with family, the mail is abundant with holiday cards from home, noted Pfc. Phillip Makowski, an info system specialist and mail clerk. "Never lose the child-like wonder of Christmas," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Teri Watkins, a bn Logistics Civil Augmentation Program officer.

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