Holiday greetings warm hearts across the world

  • Published
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  It's time once again to break out a classic reindeer sweater in celebration of the 28th iteration of the annual Holiday Greetings Program.

Since the inception of the Holiday Greetings Program, broadcasters from the Joint Hometown News Service have recorded thousands of holiday greeting messages from military members serving at countless locations. Once recorded, messages are aired on TV stations across the United States and on the American Forces Network around the globe.

Because there is no better way to warm the hearts of loved ones than with a greeting from sunny Guam, teams are scheduled to record holiday messages at the Palm Tree Golf Course here Sept. 12 and 13, and at Naval Base Guam Sept. 14.

Any member of the U.S. Armed Forces qualifies to record a greeting. This includes servicemembers, civilian employees and their families. If a military member is deployed, spouses or children will still be permitted to record a greeting. Servicemembers with families in more than one location can record more than one greeting.

Servicemembers must be in uniform to record a greeting. Department of Defense contractors may record greetings, but should not mention the company they work for. All greetings will be reviewed and inappropriate greetings will not be sent to air.

The Joint Hometown News Service offers the following tips to make the most of one's time in front of the camera:

· Family members should come with their sponsor, unless that sponsor is deployed.

· Bring an address book with your family members' names, city, state and phone number. Station managers need the phone numbers to let families know when the greetings will air.

· Greetings should be less than 30 seconds in length.

· When on camera, relax. Keep hand gestures to a minimum.

· Write main points on an index card. There is no script, but notes will help you remember everything you want to say.

· Most greetings will air from Thanksgiving Day through New Year's Day, so don't mention any particular holiday, it may make the greeting outdated.