Panetta Makes Holiday Calls to Deployed Service Members

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 24, 2012 – Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta called four service members deployed to Afghanistan today to wish them happy holidays. 

Panetta expressed his gratitude, and that of the American people, to the service members and to their families for their service and sacrifice, according to a statement issued by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs. 

The secretary enjoyed hearing the service members share stories about their family holiday traditions, about their kids' hobbies and sports interests, and about their hometowns, the statement said. 

The service members included a soldier, sailor, airman and Marine.