The Holiday season is reaching its peak, and for most, it is the most wonderful time of the year, filled with festivities and cheer.  

However, this is not the case for those serving in the military and their families. The hardships of deployment can create an incredibly lonesome holiday for both active-duty and their families holding down the fort at home. 

Christmas is deeply rooted in our nation’s traditions and celebrations. When associated with military service, it creates a strong presence of strength, unity, and cheer that spreads to all American families—unifying both military and civilian families with the spirit of giving and hope.

Service Members Deployed Around The World During Christmas

Military personnel serves on all seven continents and in more than 170 countries.

Numbers are estimates and not exact. 

• Afghanistan: 14,000
• Bahrain: 7,000
• Iraq: 5,200
• Jordan: 2,795
• Kuwait: 13,000
• Oman: 300
• Qatar: 13,000
• Saudi Arabia: 3,000
• Syria: Unknown
• Turkey: Unknown
• United Arab Emirates: 5,0000

History of Military Christmas

Christmas has been celebrated in the military for a long time, even in times of war. The most notable military Christmas is the Christmas Truce of 1914. 

Allied and German troops began singing Christmas Carols. Gun and cannon fire faded along the Western Front in Belgium and were replaced by holiday celebrations in the trenches. 

The Germans were the first to initiate this temporary “truce.” They began singing carols and placing Christmas trees along the trenches. When Christmas morning dawned, German troops emerged unarmed, calling out “Merry Christmas” to the Allied soldiers in the trenches across.

Even a world war could not destroy the Christmas spirit. However, this goodwill gesture between enemies never happened again, as squad leaders stifled attempts with disciplinary actions. 

Supporting Veterans For Christmas 

If you or anyone you know served in the military, you may need help obtaining a fair disability rating and compensation. Contact Veteran Ratings. Veteran Ratings has a 95% chance of success in acquiring the rating and benefits you deserve.

Have a question? On the fence? Then contact us for more information. We are here for you — we proudly serve those who served. Veterans are our only priority because they made this the land of the free through their bravery and sacrifice.