We learned today, through the news,  that volunteer firefighters were murdered. We've  still not 'reconciled our minds' to what we learned earlier this month: little children were murdered in their schoolrooms.
Needless to say, not a merry Christmas for those in their circles, not this year, not next year.... maybe never.
Sadly, most have NOT heard the news that:

"WASHINGTON - U.S. military officials are investigating the apparent suicide of a Navy SEAL commander in Afghanistan.
 
Cmdr. Job W. Price, 42, of Pottstown, Pa., died Saturday of a gunshot wound to the head while supporting stability operations in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan."

Commander Price's death follows the death of these other children of this nation:

Marine Lance Cpl. Anthony J. Denier

Army Spc. Tyler J. Orgaard

Army Sgt. 1st Class Darren M. Linde

Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Nicolas D. Checque

Army Staff Sgt. Wesley R. Williams

Army Staff Sgt. Nelson D. Trent

Army Staff Sgt. Nicholas J. Reid

Army Sgt. 1st Class Kevin E. Lipari

and

Marine Sgt. Michael J. Guillory

...and those deaths are just this month of December.

Why  these deaths are not 'newsworthy' is a mystery to me. Neither are the injuries, loss of limbs, sight, etc.

There are thousands of Americans who will NOT be having a Merry Christmas today,  as there will be empty chairs at the dinner  table, gifts never to be opened, and, possibly the saddest - children running to the Christmas tree in just a few hours from now, opening presents while mommy fights back her tears, when the greatest present, daddy coming home, will never be...........