Layden was the Brigade Chaplain for the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. Most of his time in this assignment was spent on a 15-month deployment to Iraq, November 2007-January 2009. This particular period is called The Surge, and was a time when troop presence in Iraq was increased. His unit was stationed outside Saudr City, a suburb of Baghdad, at Forward Operating Base(FOB) Loyalty , which at the time was a dangerous place to be. Sarah, of course, did not go with him. Instead, she stayed at Fort Polk, Louisiana, our assigned duty station. The closest family was about 7 hours away and none of our children were living with us at that time, so it could get pretty lonely. Lucky for her, she had good friends – some near, some far – that offered lots of support and encouragement. Thanksgiving of 2008 two of her friends, one in Vermont and the other in Massachusetts, invited her for the holiday. This seashell garland was a gift from the friend who lives in near Boston. Each fall, she goes to the beach and collects shells which she strings with beads and makes into garlands. That year, she took Sarah with her to gather shells on a cold Atlantic beach, the waves winter green and frothy. Her friend made a garland with those shells and sent it for Christmas. Every time it goes on the tree, we think of good friends who knew how to lend support during a difficult time, and of our gratitude that Layden was able to return home sound in mind and body. Both of these blessings bring great joy.