The image we associate with Christmas does not always correspond to reality. Not everyone can enjoy the holidays with days off, tables full of food and being with family. In it Military environmentA Christmas away from home It is a scenario that many professionals have experienced and lived. Many international missions do not allow rest. Furthermore, the variety of assignments in Spain means that they can be experienced from many different parts of the world with completely different cultures.
Brotherhood and camaraderie are always irreplaceable qualities for a soldier abroad. In the middle of Christmas, in the absence of family company,… Bonds between colleagues they get stronger. These connections can also exist with people with different languages and cultures, as in most missions different armies coexist under different flags.
The frigate captain Jorge Fernández de Navarretefrom the Red Sea on board the ‘victory‘, explains his experiences with these data at sea and describes how he is tackling them this year. The Commander Jesus Aguirreout of Banguicapital of the Central African Republic, shares anecdotes from other missions and recognizes how difficult it is to leave her seven children. For his part, Lieutenant Jesus Latreinserted in Romaniahighlights the vision of camaraderie and the “big family” that military operations become.
“You experience the main feeling of sadness. It’s a few days with the family in which everyone remembers her. “Although we have communication capabilities today, there is not time to call everyone,” explains Fernández de Navarrete from the frigate Victoria in the waters of the Red Sea. He recognizes that “the hardest thing is living with a group of people you didn’t choose,” but at the same time believes that this is the most positive thing because “The camaraderie becomes even more ingrained“.
“This is the second time I’ve spent Christmas away from home. The first time I was in Bosnia was when I was a young lieutenant,” said Commander Jesús Aguirre from Bangui, Central African Republic. “We try to spend it with the family like in Spain, although here the family are the colleagues.” Says they’re getting organized special dinners and they sing Christmas carols to get closer to the traditions so that “there is no shortage of grapes on New Year’s Eve”. Aguirre points out that the hardest thing is “being.” away from the familyespecially if you have small children.”
His case is particularly striking and complicated. Has seven children who will no longer be able to hug after 12 bells in 2025. However, like Fernández de Navarrete, he emphasizes that thanks to his mission, other families with more complex situations can also benefit. The Navy allowed it 47 families Thanks to Christmas we can be together Save them from pirate attacks. Aguirre, for his part, talks about the “most enjoyable” part since then, thanks Donate Made in Spain, distributed in Bangui These days resources in social organizations or orphanages.
“We are one small big family and camaraderie is essential to get through these dates,” says Lieutenant Jesús Latre from Romania. “We all support each other very much, are in the same situation and celebrate important dates together,” he adds. He emphasizes that they organize special meals and small activities to get together and keep our spirits up. “The fact of being together and supporting each other makes Christmas different, but not worse.” The Companionship makes the difference and it helps us to feel accompanied far away from home,” describes the lieutenant.
During the conversation, Commander Jesús Aguirre remembers an anecdote from his first mission of the year 2006if his section should Patrol during New Year’s Eve in Bosnia. “The patrol completely caught us off guard,” he says. To keep the tradition going, a soldier suggested taking a pot and a wooden spoon. “We stopped at five minutes to twelve, brought our grapes and one of us, with the clock in his hand, rang twelve bells made with the pot,” says Aguirre.
The entire section celebrated the moment, congratulated each other on the New Year and continued patrolling. “We try to maintain tradition and a good mood even away from home,” he summarizes. After a few minutes of hugs and feelings, they returned to their task. Two decades later, Aguirre finds himself faced with this situation, although this time he will be able to celebrate it base. The commander of the frigate “Victoria” will enter the new year Shipwhile Lieutenant Jesús Latre will do so Romanian soilsurrounded by his companions.
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