‘Tis the season Published Dec. 22, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Shen-Chia Chu 436th AW Public Affairs DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. - -- The holiday season is a time where friends and family gather together - decorating the Christmas tree, enjoying a glass of egg nog and shopping for presents. Though many Team Dover Airmen are celebrating this season with their loved ones at home, some are celebrating in various deployed locations around the world. This year, we're highlighting a few deployed Dover Airmen and how they're making their Christmas a "merry" one ... Master Sgt. Jason Kalinowski, 436th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron first sergeant, deployed with the 368th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Southwest Asia. "I've been working 12-hour days, but I'm dedicated to serving my country and my job because as a first sergeant, my business is people - and people are the greatest weapons platform [we] have," said Sergeant Kalinowski. The first sergeant is currently organizing a Christmas party for more than 250 deployed Airmen in Southwest Asia. "My Christmas party team and I procured two trees lights, decorations and presents. Our meal will include ribs, hamburgers and hot dogs, as well as a holiday and movie trivia along with games and prizes," he said. The husband and father of two children wishes his family a Merry Christmas along with the message: "To my wife and two baby girls - I love you and can't wait to see you!" Senior Airman Darren Staples, 436th Operations Support Squadron, deployed with the 379th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. "I will be spending the Christmas holiday working, but will be able to have a few hours off to eat Christmas dinner with my deployed squadron members," said Airman Staples. His squadron has booked a slotted time for the Airmen to enjoy a Christmas dinner and some Christmas activities, which Airman Staples believes helps his squadron's morale. "Nothing beats being at home for the holidays, but we all know that we have a mission to take care of over here and the little things such as activities during the holiday season really goes a long way helping us get through our deployment," he said. "This will be a different kind of experience for me, but should be tons of fun." "I'm wholly committed to serving my country and would deploy whenever I am needed," he said. "We are in a time of war and I just want to do my part in helping out our country." As the husband and father of two sons, Airman Staples passes along a message this holiday season: "To my wife, Rose, and my two sons, Grayson and Brady, I miss you and love you very much and can't wait to see you, I will be home shortly. To my shop back home - thanks for everything. Lastly, I want to give a happy holidays to my mother and father." Staff Sgt. James Allen, 436th Services Squadron, deployed with the 379th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. "I will be spending Christmas working," said Sergeant Allen, a native of Richmond, Maine, who works 12-hour shifts as the shift leader for the Grab 'n Go flight kitchen. "This is my fourth deployment in six years of serving my country and I'm proud to say I am faithful to defending America's rights and freedom," he said. Sergeant Allen wishes his wife, Michelle, and 3-year-old son, Noah: "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!"