I went into the Navy in November 1981, spending Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's at Recruit Training Command Orlando, Fla. with Company 039.

It was bad enough spending the holidays in boot camp away from family and friends, but Christmas Day is also my birthday. Making things even worse was our company had work week during Christmas and was spent working in the EDF.

That night, before heading back to the barracks, we stole a few cartons of eggnog. Upon returning we sneaked into a empty barrack in the division and proceeded to enjoy our eggnog and share a little Christmas cheer.