We wish you a Merry Christmas.....

It is Christmas Eve here.  

My husband and I have been out to do the last minute shopping!  

As we were getting ready to go he saw a set of reindeer antlers on my bedside table this morning and said "Reindeer Antlers...really?".  He said it in one of "those" tones.....  I looked at them, picked them up and put them on.    His response, "You're not going to wear those to the shops are you?"

Seriously after nearly 30 years together you would think he would know me better than that! 

My response...

"I am now!"

I am not sure he would always agree but we are lucky to be able to spend Christmas together and have never had to spend one apart since we got married.   As you all know, not everyone is so blessed. 

There are many serving members deployed overseas and more on duty somewhere back in Australia who will not be able to be with the ones that they love tomorrow.  Many families sending long distance messages of love and good will to those who are missing from their Christmas festivities. 

This humble little Christmas tree belongs to a fellow who is a recipient, but is also a wonderful friend. He is a father to three gorgeous kids and husband to a beautiful wife, not to mention a much loved son, friend, mate and more. 

Instead of being home with those he loves most in the world he is with his air force family, on duty in the Middle East.   He will be doing his best to share the Christmas Cheer with all those he is with tomorrow... as will many of those deployed or on duty away from their families and loved ones. 

From myself and my family, to all those who are deployed or on duty and all their families, the very best of wishes for a Merry Christmas.  

Thank you for your service... and especially the sacrifices that service asks of each and everyone one of you, families included. 

You are all our heroes. 

Below are a few messages from members of the Aussie Hero Quilts clan to our serving men and women wherever they may be on duty, interspersed with some pictures sent back from all over the place. 

Merry Christmas everyone, wherever you are.
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While most of us sit and enjoy our families and friends at this special time of year we all need to think how lucky we are. Just to be together with loved ones nearby. Missing some family members who are not with us for many reasons.

So here we all sit back and think of all the wonderful heroes who are away from their families working to save our future.

To all the defence force members away from home please know I am thinking of you and wish you the merriest and safest Christmas time you can possibly have.

All the best for a happy, safe and memorable Christmas.

Jo Butterfield... ButterZ

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Sending love and thanks, and best wishes for Christmas to all our service men and women, wherever they are.

Cheers,   Kaye, Portland,Victoria.

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"Christmas will always be, as long as we stand heart to heart and hand in hand"

Merry Christmas blessings to all

From Skye and Joshua Boyle 

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Hi from Perth,

I hope that wherever you are in the world, you have a Happy Xmas, and a Peaceful New Year.

Cheers & Best Wishes! Deb 😀😀😀😀

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Merry Christmas to you all.  May it be a time of joy despite being away from family and your country.  Please know your sacrifice and service is greatly appreciated and valued.

Diane

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Merry Christmas to all and your loved ones. 

Keep safe and Enjoy your Christmas. 

Robyn Whitelaw 

Monbulk Victoria 

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Warm and heartfelt greetings to everyone serving away from home this Christmas.

Thank you for what you are doing.

Happy Christmas

Sue P.

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When the words don't come with all I wish to say, I can still say this; " I will always be proud of those that serve our country, and appreciate what they give up to protect our country, our values and our future."   At Christmas time, we join with your families and friends, to wish you all the very best for the season.  Merry Christmas and happy new year, may 2018, be your best ever!  My toast this year will be to those that have served and those that still serve, CHEERS!

Maree Johnson

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Hello all Aussie Hero's,

Christmas begins with Christ.  Let's celebrate His birth together even though far apart.  Have a wonderful Christmas time filled with happy moments and peace. Ours will be sunny and hot in Queensland. MERRY CHRISTMAS...... Susan Price

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Gday!  Hi!  Kia ora!  and a very Merry Christmas to you all! Hope you will be able to celebrate in some way and no doubt remember friends and family at home.

Thank you - You are doing a magnificent job and I hope you will soon be able to have a safe and speedy return to Australia - or where ever 'home' is.

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and lots of good times in 2018.  From an AHQ Quilter who loves making quilts and laundry bags! Cheers from Sue O'Dwyer.

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It is a privilege to brighten your lives with our “little hobby”

Enjoy the festive season and come home safe and sound to your family and friends.

Merry Christmas from Central Victoria

Janis King

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Hello all boys and girls I am sending Xmas cheer from the heart may you all be safe and have a lovely Xmas with love from home. God Bless you

Noeleen Wells

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To all the troops serving overseas this Christmas even though you are so far from home have a WONDERFUL DAY.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and GOOD CHEER.

We will raise a glass and wish you all the best

Cheers

Anne ,Alan and all the Hutchings clan

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Hi everyone.  Hoping you are making much merriment and Christmas joy where you are.  Thank you for being there, doing a tough job, for Australia…especially at Christmastime.  Much respect and honour for each one of you.  Warmest wishes, Sandy Corry.  

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Shout out to all the ADF personnel on deployment overseas, or otherwise away from your families and friends at Christmas.  I hope you all have a good Christmas and a happy New Year.  I will have my Matilda Poppy on the festive board as your representative so I can share a virtual Christmas dinner with you.   Stay safe, come home safe.

Thank you for your service.

Kate

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Wishing all our troops overseas a safe and happy Christmas and that they will soon be reunited with their families.  In the meantime, we will keep sewing the quilts and laundry bags! Best wishes from Anne H.

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To all our wonderful Aussie Heroes on deployment - from my family here in Australia - we wish you the very best Christmas possible, shared with your deployed family and a speedy reunion with your family home in Oz.  One reason we have traditions like Christmas is to fill the gaps caused by distance - so while wearing a santa hat and eating pudding you join the thousands of Aussies back home doing the exact same thing and that makes us all family.  Hoping 2018 will be a good year for all of us, Janine Camm (laundry bag maker).

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To all our Military Personnel serving overseas away from you loved ones thinking of you.

Feliz Natalo, Joyeux Noel, Buon Natale, Merry Christmas 

Here at home with Christmas cheer. In this fun time of the year,

Let's pause a bit from what we've planned. Singing songs - with praises ... and send a loving hug to all our wonderful service men and women dear. 

To you guardians of honour sending the gift of love, respect and admiration to our steadfast, loyal, magnificent military personnel. 

You are in our thoughts and prayers and missed and much loved by many.

Best wishes for a Merry Christmas where ever you are and that your return safely to your loved ones.

warm regards

Cath  Harper 

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To all our deployed Aussies,

Merry Christmas.  We are so thankful for what you are doing. Stay happy, stay safe and stay sane. 

 From The Schefe Family, Roma Qld.

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To all the troops,

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Hope you are all handling it ok being away at this time of year, just know that we at AHQ have your backs and are thinking of you. Constantly. I wake up at 2am thinking about quilts for you all. Seriously. 😊

I have loved sewing for some of you this year and can’t wait to see what projects 2018 brings.  I love sewing the gaming, geeky style quilts and am waiting to see someone wanting a World of Warcraft quilt so bring it on!!  (My husband will be VERY upset as he wants one, but I have one planned for him in a couple of years)

That aside, hope you all get to enjoy Christmas Day with your mates, we’ll raise a glass of bubbly to you 😊

Best wishes to all,

Anna Charleston

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To all of our wonderful defence force personnel

"May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace

  The gladness of Christmas bring you hope

   And the warmth of Christmas grant you love"

With lots of love and blessings to you all for a Very Happy And Joyous Christmas and an absolutely terrific New Year!!!!!!!

Jan E xoxo

Stawell, Victoria

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Merry Christmas from sunny Hobart to everyone serving overseas. Wishing you a calm Christmas and a happy New Year.

Very best wishes, Anne H.

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Seasons Greetings to all our deployed personnel.

God Bless

Sue

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We want to wish all of our deployed troops wherever you are in the world, A Wonderful, Happy and Safe Christmas, with thanks for your service and sacrifices which are very much appreciated by our family. Cheers, and know you will be toasted at our family lunch.

Stay safe, until you can return to your family and friends in this wonderful country of ours...

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“Merry Christmas to all those away from loved ones. Thinking of you and all you do for us back home.”

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We wish all ADF personnel, most importantly those currently serving overseas away from their loved ones, a Merry Christmas! 

We're thinking of you all and appreciate your commitment.  Stay safe. 

With Best Wishes ~ Melissa and Jess

Merry Christmas one and all. 

Till next time....... keep spreading the Christmas Cheer any way you can.

Jan-Maree xxx