Thanks to SC military service members, and their families

As we gather to celebrate the holidays and enjoy the warmth of family and friends, I hope we can all pause to consider what is perhaps our greatest Christmas gift: the gift of freedom.

Please take a moment to remember and give thanks for the men and women who have given us that gift and continue to defend and protect it every day: our service members who are deployed overseas.

Some 7,000 soldiers clog planes, trains, roads for holidays

So many airmen and soldiers from the S.C. National Guard, airmen from Shaw and Charleston Air Force Base, soldiers from Army Central located at Shaw and Marines from the Marine Air Station Beaufort are deployed.

Let us all admire the dedication to duty, selflessness and courage of all of these who volunteer to serve our nation — as well as the ultimate sacrifice some have made for us.

These young men and women who have chosen service over self inspire us all by their willingness to put our safety, our security and our well-being first. They are far from their families and the comforts of home. For many, these are lonely and difficult days. We pray that all of them will return home soon and be reunited with their loved ones.

Let us give thanks as well this season and throughout the coming year for the families of the members of our military. It is they who most directly share the burdens of the long struggles to protect our American way of life. Let us especially pray for all the spouses who have been doing the parenting of two while one stands guard for all of us, and remember the children who wait anxiously for mother’s or father’s return home.

Pray that our service members have comfort and joy and “Peace on Earth” during this holiday season.