Holiday Message Published Dec. 19, 2016 By Col. Doug Schiess PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The holiday season is upon us and it’s a festive time full of family, friends, food and fun alike. While the holidays are an excellent way to celebrate the many blessings we share, it is also a time to look to the future, as well as reflect on our past accomplishments. It is a time to remember the sacrifices you have all made for our country and Air Force, as well as the sacrifices that others have made in our stead. During this holiday and New Year’s season please remember our colleagues who are either standing watch on the home front or deployed throughout the globe during the holidays. We are indebted to them for their service to our nation during this time of year, and must always remain solid wingmen. No one should feel alone or forgotten during the holidays.Please remember to keep our communities in mind during this holiday season. Whether you’re stationed here at Peterson, or across the world, it’s vital we be good neighbors and friends and take care of each other. These communities give so much to us in the way of respect and support for our global mission. Any help we can be to others during this time can be a rewarding experience in its own right. Most importantly, be safe this holiday season. We live in an ever changing and uncertain world. A world in which you need to be ready at a moment’s notice to ensure the safety of the country and the American people. Make no mistake that the mission of the 21st Space Wing is important, we are the tip of the spear in the space domain and everyone plays an important part. Have a plan to be safe over the holidays and use sound risk management. Take care of yourself and others.My wife, Debbie and I want to thank you for your continued dedication, service and support to the Air Force and the 21st Space Wing in the last year. Please enjoy some well-deserved time off, get some rest and enjoy the holidays. Because of you, we have accomplished a lot of great things in 2016, and I look forward to keeping those accomplishments coming in 2017. Be safe and have a happy holiday season; I wish you all a Happy New Year!