Saluting Holidays in battlefield

From the Manila Bulletin (Dec 22): Saluting Holidays in battlefield

Soldiers are known for their stamina to withstand rigorous training, endurance to be away from their loved ones while in the battlefield, and willingness to sacrifice their lives for the welfare of their fellowmen — giving them an image of toughness and courage.

But, like ordinary human beings, these military personnel have a soft side that is especially evident when Christmas time comes.

•Soldier’s Mandate

To keep peace and order wherever there is threat to security is a soldier’s mandate, according to Col. Generoso Mariano, who had served the military for 34 years before he retired in 2011.

“We are on call 24/7,” Mariano told Manila Bulletin in an interview via Facebook.

“Regardless of what time of the year it is, we must be ready to answer the call of duty.”
Christmas Day is no exception — Mariano had saluted the special day in the battlefield.

“Soldiers celebrate [Christmas] like a family, especially when we are in operational areas, and we really cannot be with our loved ones. We share whatever food or drinks the troop can afford,” he said, painting a picture of their kind of celebration. “The only difference, probably, was that we have ‘guard detail’ who patrols around the camp.”

During his stint, the 58-year-old Mariano was assigned in the different units of the military.

“I was particularly assigned in the Philippine Navy,” Mariano said. “My last assignment was with the Naval Reserve Command. I was Deputy Commander then.”

•Family On His Mind

Sgt. Christopher Capilitan, 49, has been in the Armed Forces of the Philippines for 23 years now, and celebrating Christmas away from his family has become usual for him.
Still, he could not help thinking about his family when this much-awaited season comes around.

“I always think about what’s happening in our house every Christmas Eve,” he said, adding that spending Christmas away from his family makes him sad.

•Making It Up, Filling The Gap

Thanks to today’s technology, Mariano has been able to satisfy his longing for his family.

“I can now reach them by calling or sending them text messages,” he said. “They always cross my mind.”

He explained that his duty as a soldier is something that his family should understand, but he makes it up to them by making them feel special regardless of the occasion.

“Whether it is Christmas, New Year, Valentine’s Day, or an ordinary day, I let them feel that I love them,” Mariano said.

Capilitan, on the other hand, has his own way of filling the gap.

“We would go to church, and then spend quality time out together,” he said.

•Season’s Reason

Even while on duty, Mariano and Capilitan make sure they keep in mind the real essence of the season.

“I never forget to thank the Lord for the blessings He has showered upon us,” Capilitan said. “I hope my fellow soldiers also appreciate everything they have.”

For Mariano, “Christmas is a day to remember the birth of Jesus Christ,” and he wishes that everyone would live up to His will.

“It is every soldier’s wish that Jesus Christ be accepted in the hearts of every man, so that we would no longer have to face war anymore,” he concluded.

http://www.mb.com.ph/saluting-holidays-in-battlefield/