| Happy Holidays TT.net, I understand some of you may find this post too long and click off. But I hope you will find it in your hearts to read on. This afternoon we received this holiday message from Admiral Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. I thought that I would share his message with you and ask a small but very meaningful request for each member of the TT.net Family. On Christmas Morning when you get up to enjoy and spend time with your families, friends and loved ones please take a moment of silence to remember and pray for our servicemen and women that are not able to be home and celebrate the holiday season with their families. They have placed service before self and answered our great nations call to keep us from harm from our enemies weather they be foreign or domestic. But must importantly they protect the freedoms and liberties that we as Americans hold so dear and people of other Nations desire and long for. The Great sacrifices of the Men and Women of the Armed Forces is the reason, we can be at home safely enjoying this Holiday Season. So please pray for them and ask GOD to protect and watch over them and bring them home safely to their family and friends. To my Brothers and Sisters of the Armed Services Merry Christmas, thank you for your service and May GOD see you safely back home to. You are Always in my Prayers. V/r
Timothy A. Brathwaite
CJCS Holiday Message 2008
Throughout our history, when faced with war at this special time of the year, American Servicemen and women have risen with crisis and fought with valor – while providing their fellow citizens precious moments to enjoy the season’s joyous spirit with loved ones at home.
This tradition harkens to our first holiday season as an independent Nation, 232 years ago. The bleak winter of 1776 found this Republic and its leader, General Washington, with a difficult and uncertain future. At twilight on the twenty-fifth of December, faced with one of the darkest moments of the American Revolution, Washington’s Army crossed the icy Delaware River to defeat enemy forces at the Battle of Trenton. Their bravery on that cold winter’s night altered the course of the war, and, ultimately, our road to victory. Among Washington’s troops that December was Thomas Paine, who appealed to the honor and patriotic duty of his fellow soldiers with these famous words: “These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.” This holiday season, more than 280,000 modern-day patriots are deployed around the globe, ensuring their families and friends – and ours – can celebrate in peace and comfort. Let us take pause to honor their sacrifice. We also offer our thoughts and prayers to the wounded, their families, and the families of the fallen. Theirs is an emptiness we cannot know – made only deeper during the holidays. Although their sacred void can never be filled, let us look deep into our hearts and honor them all – for they richly deserve the love and thanks of a grateful Nation. On behalf of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and our families, I thank you for all that you do for our country. We wish you and your loved ones a festive holiday season, and tidings of peace in the coming New Year.
Respectfully,
M.G. MULLEN
Admiral, U.S. Navy
AKA Tim B. 
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