If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love, I\’m just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir\’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband. 

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn\’t envy another\’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn\’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.

Love doesn\’t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can\’t.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 

Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust,

but giving the gift of love will endure.

 God Bless, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2011 !

 submitted by Cathi Gottert

\”There\’s nothing quite like cozying up in front of a fireplace or wood stove when the weather is really cold, but wood smoke contains pollutants – and some of your neighbors may not be able to tolerate it,\” said DEP Assistant Commissioner Nancy Wittenberg. \”If you are going to use a fireplace, wood stove or even a wood boiler, there are some steps you can take to minimize your impact on the environment, your neighbors, and your own health.\”

We have one Soldier coming home in the evening in Gloucester City. 

Great news….we have another coming home earlier in the day. 

As fate would have it these guys have known each other for some time, but don’t know they are returning home the same day. With a little luck and encouragement, we will be putting these two heros together for a memorable re-union they will not soon forget. Daniel’s Mom is going to be at Jose’s Welcome Home at 2:30 and Invite him to join them at Daniel’s at 8:00. This is one not to be missed.

Army Specialist Jose Acevedo is returning from a tour in Afghanistan. 

Jose was born and raised in Gloucester city, and actively involved in all sports when he was in school. Gloucester city little league, Carmen Palmiero basketball and Gloucester City Mustang football and a member of St Mary’s Parish. As he entered High School he became involved with NJROTC training and focusing on his career in the military that he decided he was going to take. Jose graduated in June 08 and went right into the US Army. He went to Basic combat training at Ft Sill in Oaklahoma, where he was an honor grad. From there he went to training for transportation in Ft Leonardwood in Missouri. Jose received 2 promotions in the first year of his career. He has recently served the last year in Afghanistan with the 24 trans. He has 1 brother and a nephew. Jose enjoys his career path and always says that they do not do it for the glory. After his brief return home he will be stationed at Ft Riley and will continue his career in the United States Army.

Please join the WWR, YRC, Family, Friends, Gloucester City Police, Fire and EMS in welcoming home another Hero in a way that makes America the great country it is. 

*Media Welcome* 

ETA 8 PM (to 8:30 PM as we are dependent on the flight arrival status)

Pinegrove Firehall, 829 Jersey Ave Gloucester City, NJ 08030

Please come out to welcome home Specialist Daniel Marquez from serving in Iraq. 

 
This was Specialist Marquez’s 2^nd tour in Iraq

He is now 24 years old and has been in the Army since graduating Gloucester City High School where he played football

His wife is Moana with son Jason and Daughter Neyla

Specialist Marquez is a rank of E-4 and is a tank diesel mechanic

He will be deploying to Afghanistan in 2011

Friends, Family, The Warriors Watch, The Yellow Ribbon Club, The Gloucester City Police Department, and The Gloucester City Fire Department along with Gloucester City will be on hand to make some noise and welcome home this hero in Rock Star style. 

Hope to see you there.