In this the season of Peace and Joy, I wish to take note of all those on this board who have contributed and shared their knowledge over the years both now, and those who are no longer with us.

History has always had periods of either Darkness or Enlightenment. Knowledge and truth have always expelled the darkness. And Darkness returns when mankind forgets the lessons that mistakes in the past have taught us.

We here who study a very dark period in our Nation's History can see now all too clearly how such a thing could happen and did happen. We see the possibility, at least in my lifetime, how such a thing could happen again, as one side in our political climate is pitted against another in this country. There is talk of Civil War in our news media outlets almost daily. We see an abolishment society reborn anew again to tear us apart and divide the Union in the name of moral justice.

Let us who understand the evil that this appears to be leading us to, Pray, each in his own way, that our God, in his wisdom deliver us from this.

May each of us, in this time, hold our family and friends close in love and peace during this Christmas season, as we see this day approach.

To All my Friends, on This Board, the Living Historian and re-enactors, who I have shared a many of footsteps with, on many of our Nation's Battlefields and National Military Parks, to the many Researchers and Historians, both past and present, who I have shared conversations with, May I say,

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL who I have met and love.