By Tim Cherry
Staff writer
Thursday, December 1, 2011

Each year the holiday season fills our minds with vivid imagery associated with the annual festivities.

The gifts under the Christmas tree, the turkey and stuffing for the Thanksgiving table or even the candle lighting during Hanukkah all represent constant qualities symbolizing this time of year.

But while the joy of these holiday qualities are very important, the Belvoir Officers’ Spouses Club said the traditions that Families build during this time of year go a long way in maintaining morale and consistency in the military home.

“Sometimes the only constant is the Family car,” said Angelica Botkin, BOSC president, explaining that households with Soldiers are frequented with relocation’s and deployments.

She and other members said building holiday customs help children cope with moving and extended periods of time away from their servicemember.

The ritual can involve exercise, a change in the day-to-day routine, or even empowering children while a parent is away; the BOSC encourages Families to have solid traditions to help raise their children.

During Christmas, Yvonne Glover, BOSC correspondent secretary, decorates several trees to share her Families’ story with the surrounding community.

The Glover’s heritage tree, which is approximately seven feet tall, is decorated in Victorian design and contains ornaments on the tree are framed with Family members pictures and contain a brief biography about them.

Each year the Glovers update the item of the memento with Family experiences leading up to Christmas.

Yvonne, who frequently invites neighbors and co-workers into her home, said the heritage tree allows guest to learn about the Glover’s history.

“When people come into our home we want them to enjoy the spirit,” Yvonne said.

Yvonne’s children, also have two approximately 3-foot trees they personally decorate.

Her daughter covers hers with special items she received from others, while Yvonne’s son has more of a sports theme.

Yvonne said the custom brings familiarity for a Family constantly on the move.

Christmas is also a time where Yvonne’s husband Maj. Christopher Glover enjoys using his Army equipment to hand out gifts.

“I guess it’s just his way of being Army Santa,” said Yvonne.

Monica Boone, BOSC advisor, said her Family takes a walk after every Thanksgiving meal to help burn the food they’ve digested and fellowship away from the diner table.

Boone carried this tradition from her youth and she does it every year regardless of who she’s sharing a meal with. She once ate with a former supervisor and about 24 fellow colleagues and had the entire group take walk around the neighborhood.

“If you come to Thanksgiving at our home bring a comfortable pair of shoes,” said Boone, who whose two son’s love the tradition.

But it’s not like they really have a choice.

“You certainly don’t want to be a person who doesn’t participate,” Boone said light heartedly, “because then you won’t get dessert.”

For the Botkins, Angelica said Thanksgiving is the time of year her husband, retired Navy Cmdr. Brad, handles the cooking.

Ham, sweet potatoes and cheesecake are some of the foods he prepares.

The Botkins also sit at the diner table and takes turns explaining what the current year has made them thankful for.

Angelica said giving thanks and having her husband make the food have helped her Family feel Brad’s presence when he was deployed. She also added that builds character within the children.

“It really gives the kids a sense of belonging,” Angelica said, “a sense that things are going to work out for the best.”

The Botkins also combines holy moments such as, Advent, the Last Supper and Easter to develop their children’s spiritual knowledge.

“It really helps us to be cohesive as a Family,” said Alex Botkins, one of Angelica’s three sons.

He said his Family traditions have helped him and his siblings cope with frequent moving.

“It helped us bring the Family together,” Alex said.

BOSC members encourage all Families to create their own traditions.

“Bring Thanksgiving to your heart,” said Boone; recommending that the rituals be personal to the parents regardless of if they’re generational or brand new.

Angelica recommends that Families start gradually and add elements as the household grows because doing too much at one period could be overwhelming.

Starting customs early in the children’s lives is also important because it creates a sense of stability.

Once traditions are built the BOCS members said to maintain them wherever your Family is stationed.

Boone said her household shared and received Thanksgiving customs with Families in Germany.

“It’s always nice,” Boone said “to have that one thing that you’ve always done.”