It's never easy to be away from your friends and family during the holidays, but that's something our men and women in the military sacrifice time and time again when they sign up to serve.
While they'd all rather be curled up in front of a fireplace with their loved ones, perhaps sipping cocoa and singing their favorite Christmas songs, that doesn't mean they can't still find the holiday spirit regardless of where they might be stationed. The photos below, from troops serving in World War II, show that no matter how bleak or stressful their surroundings might be, they could still make time for some festive fun that might remind them just the tiniest bit of home.
Take a look to see how military men and women celebrated back in the day by making some eggnog, putting up adorable decorations, or digging into delicious meals.
Do you remember hearing stories about similar celebrations from your parents or grandparents? Let us know in the comments and be sure to SHARE with your loved ones!
1. Digging Into Christmas Dinner
The men of the Border Regiment in France certainly seemed to enjoy their festive meal.
2. Cooking Up Christmas Pudding
Members of the Women's Royal Naval Service sampled some scrumptious dessert.
3. Sorting Through Holiday Care Packages
Families sent mountains of holiday mail for their men who were off fighting across the world.
4. Dressing As Father Christmas
Children evacuated from heavy bombing in Britain were thrilled to see Saint Nick himself, at a military station in Oxfordshire, passing out presents donated by American children.
5. Hanging Up Holly
A man from the HMS Drake Royal Naval Barracks added a dash of whimsical cheer in the mess hall for his fellow troops.
6. Delivering A Special Tree
Santa himself provided the impressive tree for the troops at Camp Lee's Quartermaster Replacement Center in Virginia.
7. Hanging Stockings
The men of Camp Lee also made sure Santa could find their Christmas stockings by hanging them with care on their rifle racks.
8. Singing Christmas Carols
Sailors gathered for a holiday sing-along session on the mess deck of a warship of the Home Fleet at Scapa Flow.
9. Putting The Nativity On Display
Home Fleet sailors also made sure to pay homage to the Biblical story with a precious nativity.
10. Dancing The Night Away
Couples paired up at the Service Club for some fancy festive footwork just before Christmas Eve.
11. Whipping Up Eggnog
Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser helped the cooks of the HMS Duke of York with a hefty amount of rum.
12. Sharing A Smooch
An amorous Saint Nick gave one of the nurses at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital a sweet Christmas kiss in Sydney, Australia.
13. Toasting The Holiday Together
Canadian troops stationed in Italy enjoyed a round of drinks on Christmas Day.
14. Going To A Show
American troops in London were given a Christmas concert performance by pianist Dorothea Aspinall and soprano singer Eve Maxwell Wright.
15. Posing For The Camera
These guys clearly had plenty of cheer to go around with enough bottles to spread their holiday message in this amazing photo.
Have you seen photos like these of your parents or grandparents from during World War II? Let us know below and be sure to SHARE with your loved ones!
