In 1944 at this time of year, our hero, Private Art, was away from his family fighting in the battle of his life, The Battle of the Bulge. Reading his brief message to his mother on December 23, one wonders what this young boy must have been feeling.

No doubt he wanted to be home with his family for the holidays, but he put up a brave front to keep his mother from worrying about him. Perhaps, in some ways, the young private was with them...if only in his dreams.

As the end of the twentieth century approaches, let us all be grateful for the many blessings we have in our daily lives and the sacrifices that made it all possible.