For all those hoping Santa brings their soldiers home safely.  Video here. Thanks Christine from the Pet Brigade for the heads up.

DVIDS features lots of holiday greetings from units all over the world.  Find your loved ones here.

Volunteers and Wal Mart are making the holidays more festive at Fort Lewis's Fisher House.  Below are the photos from their Facebook page.

Here's a holiday story about a man from Montana coming to Fort Lewis as Santa to spread some holiday joy.

EXCERPT: For the past 35 years, the Malta man has spent his Decembers decked out in a Santa suit, granting Christmas wishes to kids young and old.

But this year, Degel decided to forgo the bigger paycheck provided by malls in California, Texas and Illinois - to name a few offers - to instead visit schools and soldiers at Fort Lewis, Wash.

"I think I'm going to enjoy it a lot more," Degel said.

Today we gather around the dinner table with family and friends to share good food, warm laughter, and the happy memories of Thanksgivings past. But for many families, whose loved ones serve in the Armed Forces, this year's Thanksgiving celebration will not be complete.

A familiar voice will not be heard and a chair at the table will remain empty because, they have someone far from home serving our country.

Today also, members of the Army, Marines, Navy, Airforce and Coastguard (men and women, Active Duty, Reserve and National Guard alike) will gather in mess halls or in tents across the globe as friends and comrades to enjoy the traditional Thanksgiving meal.

So, as those of us who are blessed to be with our families celebrate and give thanks, let us remember in our prayers the homes that have an empty chair at the table and also offer a special prayer of thanksgiving and ask God's Blessings for the brave men and women of our Armed Forces, whose service and sacrifice will, we further pray, make the world a better and safer place. And a very special prayer dear God, for those homes that have an empty chair that will forever remain vacant and for those servicemen and women who have come back to us, may their sacrifice not have been in vain.

The Fort Lewis Ranger and Swarner Communications joins every American this Memorial Day, to pause and reflect upon the sacrifices made by so many of our fellow citizens in times of war and conflict throughout our Nation's history.

We also salute the dedicated men and women of today's Armed Forces, whether defending our homeland or serving around the world.

Memorial Day is the one day of the year that we set aside to remember and honor our country's patriots, yet we owe them a debt of gratitude, every day of every year.

TYLER HEMSTREET: PLAN AHEAD >>>

Every year, Memorial Day commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. It was first enacted to honor Union soldiers of the Civil War (it is celebrated near the day of reunification after the civil war) and it was expanded after World War I to include American casualties of any war or military action. In addition to a national moment of remembrance - which will be observed Monday at 3 p.m. - there are various events going on across western Washington. Here is a sample of a few.

SUNDAY

What: Fort Lewis 555th Engineer Brigade firing detail and guest speaker
Where: Vaughn Bay Cemetery, 100th Street KPN and 186th Avenue KPN, Vaughn
When: 1 p.m.

What: Fort Lewis' 191st Infantry Brigade color guard, I Corps Band, firing detail

Where: Fir Lane Memorial Park, 924 176th St. E., Spanaway

When: 1 p.m.

MONDAY

What: Fort Lewis Memorial Day ceremony with Brig. Gen. Jeff Mathis remarks, I Corps Band and I Corps command honor guard
Where: Fort Lewis cemetery, Fort Lewis
When: 11:30 a.m.

What: Lakewood Memorial Day ceremony with 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division color guard and chaplain
Where: Mountain View Memorial Park, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd. S.W., Lakewood
When: 2 p.m.

What: Tacoma Memorial Day ceremony featuring Pierce County Medal of Honor recipients
Where: War Memorial Park, MacArthur Street and Sixth Avenue, Tacoma
When: 2 p.m.

What: Memorial Day ceremony
Where: Woodlawn Cemetery, 5930 Mullen Rd SE, Lacey 
When: 4:30 p.m.

What: Sumner Memorial Day ceremony featuring firing detail from 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, I Corps Band, military chaplain speaks
Where: Sumner Cemetery, 12324 Valley Ave. E., Sumner 
When: 10 a.m.

What: Memorial Day ceremony
Where: Mills and Mills Funeral Home, 5725 Littlerock Rd. SW, Tumwater
When: 2 p.m.

What: Korean War CVeterans memorial wreath-laying
Where: Capitol Campus, Olympia
When: 11 a.m.

What: Spanaway Memorial Day ceremony featuring firing detail from 4th Squadron, 6th Air Cavalry Regiment, color guard and speakers from 191st Infantry Brigade
Where: Bethany Cemetery, 26418 Mountain Hwy. E., Spanaway
When: 10:30 a.m.

What: Thurston County Veterans Council ceremony
Where: State Capitol Rotunda, Olympia
When: 11 a.m.

What: Milton Veterans Memorial ceremony with Fort Lewis garrison commander Col. Cynthia Murphy remarks
Where: Triangle Park, 15th Avenue and Milton Way, Milton
When: 11 a.m.

What: NABVETS Day of Honor
Where: Bethlehem Baptist Church, 4818 Portland Ave., Tacoma
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

What: Evergreen-Washelli 83rd annual Memorial Day service
Where: 11111 Aurora Avenue North, Seattle
When: 1:30 p.m.

What: Remember and Honor the Fallen Soldiers of the Republic of Vietnam and America Ceremony
Where: Vietnam Memorial, State Capitol, Olympia
When: 2 to 4 p.m.

What: Vietnam Veterans ThunderRun 2009
Where: The run departs Destination Harley (2302 Pacific Highway East, Tacoma) at 11 a.m., and Northwest Harley (8000 Freedom Lane NE, Lacey) at noon. Riders rendezvous at the Vietnam Memorial at the State Capitol in Olympia.
When: The ceremony starts at 12:45 p.m.
More info: Cost is $10 per individual and $15 per couple and all proceeds go to Supporting Veterans and The Fisher House. For more information, call 360-359-0516 or 253-460-0587.

What: Washington Soldiers Home Memorial Day ceremony
Where: Chilson Hall, 1301 Orting/Kapowsin Hwy, Orting
When: 2 p.m.

What: Puyallup Memorial Day ceremony with 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division representation
Where: Pioneer Park Pavilion, 210 W. Pioneer, Puyallup
When: 1 p.m.

What: Veterans Resource Center Memorial Day Tribute
Where: Langley Middle School Auditorium, 723 Camano Ave., Langley
When: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.