Maj. Jimmy Brownlee of Charleston is stationed in Iraq as a public affairs officer but is home for the holidays until Jan. 7 at his base at Fort Stewart, Ga. In the space of a week he has gone from his highest point, that of surprising his wife and two children by dressing as Santa Claus and showing up at home unexpectedly six days before Christmas, to his lowest point four days later. His 80-year-old stepfather, Vernon Mason, a World War II Navy veteran from West Ashley, died two days before Christmas. These are Brownlee’s reflections on the ups and downs of the past year…
Thank you, Major Brownlee.