Another great Christmas season is nearing an end in Whidbey Island.

The Lions have sold their trees, the Kiwanis their candy, and the Soroptimists have folded up their Christmas village. Festival of Trees raised thousands for the needy, Salvation Army bell ringers did the same, and Help House helped out hundreds with food and toys for the holidays.

Whidbey Islanders danced in The Nutcracker, and school and community bands and choirs presented concerts. Churches put on their Christmas pageants and many special services are planned for tonight, heralding in Christmas Day and the true reason for the season.

It has been a fine Christmas season on Whidbey Island. No fatal house fires or accidents were reported, and it’s safe to say that the vast majority of families are enjoying a wonderful Christmas together. As you gather around the Christmas dinner, or open the presents under the tree, don’t forget how special these moments are and remember to cherish them. Old people pass away and children grow up, so you’ll never experience another Christmas exactly like this one in 2002.

In this Navy town, we never forget our NAS Whidbey personnel who are stationed overseas during the holidays. At least the VAQ-132 Scorpions were able to return home after a six-month deployment aboard the USS George Washington, but hundreds of others are serving their country on aircraft carriers and remote locations around the world.

Generally speaking, a tenuous peace prevails this Christmas season, thanks in large part to the presence of our military in various world hot spots. There is a general feeling that peace will not hold in the Middle East, but who knows for sure? This is the season of miracles, so we can pray that Iraq does the miraculous and opens it secrets to the U.N. and war can be avoided.

All in all, Christmas 2002 is the kind we all prefer — routine, peaceful and enjoyable. Our only regret is that, once again, those of us wishing for a white Christmas will have to wait until next year.