As our Nation celebrates this holiday season, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and Coast Guardsmen serve around the world in Afghanistan, Iraq, and a multitude of other locations, protecting all of us. Thanks to your commitment – and sacrifice – our friends and families can enjoy the good tidings long associated with this most meaningful time of the year.

While we celebrate this season's goodwill, we also remain mindful that many of our men and women in uniform remain in harm's way as our Nation enters its tenth year at war. We deeply honor your service and that of your families who serve along with you. Our thoughts and prayers are particularly with our wounded warriors, their families, and the families of the fallen and missing. These Americans have borne the most solemn burden in our fight to secure a better future – for our children and our grandchildren – in a very dangerous world, and we must never forget them.

On behalf of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and our families, I thank you for all you do for our country. We wish you and your families a joyful holiday season, and wherever you serve, we extend our deepest hopes and prayers for a safe and happy 2011.

- Admiral Mike Mullen