PUBLISHED 12-2-07 ----

They are our sons and daughters, our brothers and sisters. They are mothers and fathers. They are sacrificing much and risking their lives to serve us.

They are the men and women in our armed forces who are serving in such dangerous places as Iraq and Afghanistan. They are also military personnel who are stationed in safer places, but who are lonely — away from their families during this holiday season.

The Californian’s Opinion section invites readers to send their holiday greetings and good cheer to our service men and women who cannot come home to celebrate with their families.

Many of these soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen keep up with the news back home by clicking on to The Californian’s Internet site at www.Bakersfield.com.

Send your short notes of encouragement and gratitude — no longer than 100 words — to opinion@bakersfield.com. Some of these notes will be selected for publication in the Opinion section. Others will be posted on the Opinion section’s FIRED UP blog.

For author verification, include your name, address and telephone number. Only your name and city of residence will be published.