The document is a Christmas letter from the Freeman family summarizing the key events of their year. It describes Meghan giving birth to their daughter Remington in September while Tyler was deployed to Afghanistan, and expresses their joy at being reunited as a complete family to celebrate Christmas.

1. “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a
son, and will call him Immanuel.”
Isaiah 7:14
Before… and After.
Merry Christmas from the Freemans!
We hope you and your families are Saltines, waited for her husband to Detachment (PSD). He was grateful
enjoying this season of praise. Recalling call, and ran the Carlsbad Marathon. for the latter position which ensured
the events of 2010 bring us much gratitude that most of his time was spent
After a quick jaunt to Afghanistan to
for the birth of Christ Immanuel and travelling throughout the Battalion‟s
survey the sites and a wonderful visit
countless reminders that indeed, “God (is) area of operations.
from his parents, Ken and Tracy, Tyler
with us.”
deployed to Afghanistan for seven
The year began with the joyous January months in April. He served as the
surprise that Baby Freeman was en route. Executive Officer (XO) of
So as Tyler continued pre-deployment Headquarters and Service Company
training in Twentynine Palms, CA, Meghan (H&S Co) and the Platoon
did what any new mom-to-be would – Commander of the Battalion
took three pregnancy tests, stockpiled Commander‟s Personal Security
Detachment (PSD). He was grateful for
the latter position which ensured that
most of his time was spent travelling
throughout the Battalion‟s area of
operations.
Tyler with his Platoon Sergeant, Ssgt Wegner
PSD (Jump) Platoon, call sign “BULLRUSH”
Tyler on patrol in Garmsir District

2. On the Homefront….
Fueled by morning sickness, Meghan Our beautiful and very alert
graduated with her Masters in Social Work daughter, Remington Lee, was born
(MSW) in May. She celebrated with a trip to on 6 September in Thousand Oaks,
always blissful Lexington, VA to represent CA.
the Freeman family at the graduation and
commissioning of the Virginia Military We are so grateful for the support of
Institute (VMI) Class of 2010 and visit friends a stellar medical team and
at Washington and Lee. especially Meghan‟s parents who
Meghan at VMI with Peter Karonis „10, cared for Meghan and Remington
Barker Squire „10, and Jared Starin „10 After a visit with her brother, Brett, in New in the weeks before and after the
Meghan with Peter Karonis, Barker Squire, York City, she spent the summer birth. Grandpa Joss even made an
and Jared Starin after commissioning at volunteering on base and living the good audio recording of the Labor Day
life of a stay-at-home mom-to-be -- reading events for Tyler – what a gift!
VMI.
birth preparation books on the beach and
fine tuning her handyman skills through crib Amid the sleepless blur of
assembly. In retrospect those hours may September and early October we
have been better spent consuming the vast were blessed with a visit from the
literature on infant sleep training. Freeman grandparents who brought
four more much-appreciated hands
Yes, within months of being named San from Arkansas.
Diego State‟s “Outstanding Social Worker of
the Year” and completing a thesis that will Finally with the help of the Joss
soon be published in the academic journal, grandparents and delicious meals
Military Medicine, Meghan‟s illusions of from our Oceanside church family,
Happy, swaddled Remington Lee competency were squashed by a 7lb, Remington and Meghan moved
Happy, swaddled Remington Lee home to prepare for Daddy‟s arrival.
sleepless, bundle of joy.
.
I’ll Be Home for Christmas… Remington Lee (6 wks): “I‟ve got my hunting suit on, and
I‟m ready to hang out with Daddy!!”
Words can‟t express the joy we feel this season as we
celebrate the birth of our Savior as a complete family.
Thank you all for your support, letters, and especially
prayers for Tyler and the rest of Third Battalion, First Marine
Regiment (3/1). Their success in Garmsir District is a
testimony of God‟s grace and protection. Please
remember and pray for the service members and families
separated this holiday season and especially for the
families of the fourteen fallen heroes of 3/1.
We love you all and wish you a very Merry Christmas! “I‟m ready to hang out with Daddy. I heard he likes to hunt!”
“Daddy‟s home!!”
We love you all and wish you a very Merry Christmas!
“This is quality time with Daddy?”
Christmas 2010 ● Freeman Family ●