Thousands of U.S. troops stationed overseas are celebrating Christmas without their loved ones.
Far from home, soldiers are doing their best to maintain Christmas cheer as a momentary respite from life in a combat zone.
Heartwarming photos show Christmas Eve celebrations at a U.S. airfield in Bagram, north of Kabul.
Members of the U.S. army take a picture with a soldier dressed as The Grinch, of Dr Seuss lore, during Christmas Eve celebrations at a U.S. airfield in Bagram, north of Kabul, Afghanistan
Two troops enjoy cupcakes during the celebration. Thousands of U.S. troops stationed overseas are celebrating Christmas without their loved ones
Members of the U.S. military dressed as The Grinch and a Who from Whoville pose for a photograph. Far from home, soldiers are doing their best to maintain Christmas cheer as a momentary respite from life in a combat zone
A soldier is dressed as Santa Claus complete with a white beard. Other soldiers sported Santa hats or reindeer ears while otherwise being clad in army gear
Soldiers dressed as Santa Claus and one even dressed as The Grinch, the infamous Dr Seuss character who once tried to steal Christmas.
Other soldiers sported Santa hats or reindeer ears while otherwise being clad in army gear.
The celebrations come after President Donald Trump kicked off his Christmas Eve by participating in a video conference with American troops stationed around the world.
‘I just want to wish everybody a very, very merry Christmas,’ the president said.
U.S. armed forces mebers sign carols on a stage decorated with a Christmas tree and an inflatable Santa Claus-reindeer sleigh apparatus
General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks during the ceremony. The celebrations come after President Donald Trump kicked off his Christmas Eve by participating in a video conference with American troops stationed around the world
Pictured is another view of Dunford speaking. ‘I just want to wish everybody a very, very merry Christmas,’ the president said in his video conference
A member of the U.S. military sporting reindeer ears passes out cupcakes of various types during the Christmas Eve ceremony
Members of the U.S. military pose with an American flag during the ceremony. During his video conference, Trump said: ‘We say “Merry Christmas” again, very, very proudly.’ The comment serves as a reiteration of his position on saying ‘Merry Christmas’ rather than ‘Happy Holidays’
‘We say “Merry Christmas” again, very, very proudly,’ Trump added, repeating his position on saying ‘Merry Christmas’ over ‘Happy Holidays.’
‘We’re going to have a great year, an incredible year,’ the president promised the military members.
‘I’m thrilled to bring seasons greetings on behalf of the first lady and our entire family and most importantly, on behalf of the American people,’ Trump continued.
‘Today and every day we’re incredibly thankful for you and for your families. Your families have been tremendous,’ he added. ‘Always underappreciated. Military families. The greatest people on earth.’
A member of the U.S. Air Force wears a Pittsburgh Steelers hat during the ceremony. ‘We’re going to have a great year, an incredible year,’ the president promised the military members
A member of the U.S. military holds a photograph of his father during the ceremony. ‘I’m thrilled to bring seasons greetings on behalf of the first lady and our entire family and most importantly, on behalf of the American people,’ Trump continued during his video conference speech
Pictured is another view of Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Joseph Dunford speaking on a decorated stage during the Christmas Eve ceremony
Meanwhile, the Associated Press reports that a roadside bomb on Christmas Eve killed seven civilians in the southern Helmand province.
Haji Salam Khan, a provincial council member, said Sunday’s explosion killed seven civilians and wounded three others. Omar Zwak, spokesman for the provincial governor, confirmed the attack but did not provide a toll.
No one immediately claimed responsibility.
The Taliban have a strong and growing presence in the area.
A solider takes a photograph of another soldier posing with the Grinch-bedecked soldier. The Grinch infamously tried to steal Christmas before becoming a better individual through personal growth
A soldier dressed as Santa and one dressed as The Grinch playfully do battle during the event. ‘Today and every day we’re incredibly thankful for you and for your families. Your families have been tremendous,’ Trump said during the conference
Another member of the U.S. army distributes cupcakes during the ceremony; to his right another soldier leans back and takes a photograph. The cupcake-distributing soldier sports an elf hat
A woman wearing a Santa Claus hat bedecked in snowflakes claps and sings along during the celebration. Meanwhile, the Associated Press reports that a roadside bomb on Christmas Eve killed seven civilians in the southern Helmand province
A member of the U.S. military sporting reindeer ears arrives at the celebration. Haji Salam Khan, a provincial council member, said Sunday’s explosion killed seven civilians and wounded three others. Omar Zwak, spokesman for the provincial governor, confirmed the attack but did not provide a toll
U.S. troops are greeted with high-fives from The Grinch, Santa Claus and the Whoville resident as they arrive for the Christmas Eve ceremony
U.S. troops laugh during the celebrations at the U.S. airfield in Bagram, north of Kabul, on December 24
An Afghan poultry vendor waits for customers, in Parwan province north of Kabul, Afghanistan on Christmas Eve