Soldiers coming home

Last week's column prompted a couple of items from parents whose children are also coming home from the service for Christmas.

Mom Diane Warne said son Brian came home to Minden for leave after graduating from tank school in Fort Knox, Ky., last week.

Brian's a 2010 graduate of Douglas High School, who spent three years with the Tiger Battalion Jr. ROTC program.

He recently graduated from basic training and the M1 Abrams Tank school as a member of the 1st Platoon, A Company, Armor Battalion.

When he returns to duty, he's going to Fort Sewart, Ga., where he will be assigned to the 1st Brigade, 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Division for additional training.

His dad is Michael Warne.

Also home for the holidays is Marine Sgt. Jason Schiller, according to pa Mike Schiller. Jason's a mechanic on Harrier jump jets stationed out of Yuma, Ariz.

There are a lot of Americans serving their country overseas this holiday. As part of our annual holiday tradition, The Record-Courier is collecting Christmas cards to send to the troops. We have a barrel out front where people can drop off their Christmas cards.

The cards people drop off this year will have their backs stripped off and then go out to those serving overseas next Christmas.

Some people like to drop off new cards, and that's fine with us. It's just a little way to let the folks who are defending our freedom know we value their sacrifice.

The Record-Courier is closed for Christmas Eve today and will be closed for New Year's Eve next week. Here's wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.