Tracy Stachler and her 4-month-old son, Lincoln William Stachler, look at a special ornament bearing the photograph of Lincoln's father, Bill, who is deployed for a second time in Iraq. The soldier and former Burkettsville resident missed the baby's birth and now will miss his son's first Christmas.

"I'll Be Home for Christmas," a popular tune recorded by Bing Crosby during World War II, holds special significance at this time of year for area residents with loved ones stationed in faraway places. Greg and Joann Maltinsky . . .