By Jennifer Dancy
If considering relocating to a new place, Guam might not be the first destination that comes to mind. When my husband, who is active-duty Navy, received orders from Great Lakes/Chicago to relocate to Guam, I went through the five stages of grief. Tressler has supported us so I can continue working remotely from the island, supporting clients all over the United States. We have now been on Guam six months, and I wake up thankful each and every day. Guam presents a unique combination of breathtaking natural beauty, rich culture, and a strong sense of community unlike anywhere we’ve ever lived.
As the holiday season of joy, warmth, and giving approaches, it is easy for many families on Guam to feel a sense of loneliness and isolation. Moving to a new location can offer beautiful opportunities to experience Christmas in an entirely different way, embracing fresh customs and practices that bring new richness to the beloved holidays.
There is something truly special about stepping outside of your comfort zone and exploring new traditions. 2024 is our first Christmas season on Guam. Thanks to both the Navy and Airforce, we have already experienced a wonderful holiday season.
Santa flew over our home in Guam from an MH-60S Seahawk, attached to the “Island Knights of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 out of Anderson Air Force Base. This was the second annual “Santa Flight” conducted by HSC 25.
I would be at a loss if I did not pay homage to Operation Christmas Drop, the Department of Defense’s longest running humanitarian airlift operation. What once began in 1952 when a B-29 Superfortress aircrew saw islanders waiving at them 3,500 miles south of Hawaii has grown into a massive humanitarian effort providing supplies to more than 50 islands throughout the Pacific.
The annual mission, now in its 73rd year, brings together aircrews from the United States, Japan, Australia, South Korea, and Canada to deliver supplies and holiday cheer to remote Pacific Islands while also providing airlift training. Parcels are stuffed with rice, canned goods, fishing equipment, educational materials, and toys. They are then decorated by military members and their family, community affiliates, and volunteers.
Aircrews on C-130 Hercules drop bundles of supplies attached to parachutes to islanders below. In 2024, Operation Christmas Drop delivered over 200 bundles averaging 750 pounds each from C-130 Hercules aircrafts over the Micronesian Islands.
So, this holiday season, as you unpack your ornaments and hang the lights, consider incorporating a new tradition. This year, we had the good fortune of the Santa Flight and Operation Christmas Drop. Whether through food, music, family, or community gatherings, each custom can bring special meaning and an exciting twist to your holiday routine. After all, Christmas is not just a time for reflection on our past, but also for celebrating the beauty of our shared humanity in the present.
Happy Holidays!
About Jennifer Dancy
Jenny is senior counsel Tressler’s Litigation Practice Group. She focuses her practice on general defense litigation, personal injury, constitutional torts, local government law issues, transportation, property damage, insurance coverage and employment law. Jenny relies upon her vast courtroom, deposition, motion practice, discovery and appellate experience to handle all aspects of litigation. She has effectively litigated cases in counties throughout Missouri and Texas as well as in various federal and appellate courts. Jenny has had positive outcomes through alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and has also had many successful dispositive motions in both state and federal courts.
Click here to learn more about Jenny's move to Guam.
About Tressler LLP
Tressler LLP is a national law firm headquartered in Chicago, with eight offices located in five states — California, Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Tressler attorneys are experienced counselors and advocates who appear in state and federal courts, and in governmental proceedings, throughout the United States. Many Tressler attorneys devote their practice to the representation of the insurance industry in coverage analysis and resolution, litigation, underwriting consultation, product development, claims management and reinsurance. Tressler attorneys also represent clients in commercial litigation, employment, local government law, corporate transactions, intellectual property law and condo/HOA law.
For additional information about our firm, please visit www.tresslerllp.com.
