Happy Holidays!

As we gather with family and friends to share in the blessings of the holiday season this weekend, I want to take a moment to reflect on the year and the meaning of the holidays.

This holiday season has special meaning for the tens of thousands of Wisconsin Veterans that have served in Iraq over the last nine years. The last Wisconsin National Guard troops came home in November and just four days ago, the final 500 soldiers left Iraq and started their journey home.

The selfless duty and sacrifice of those that serve and have served in our armed forces is something we all should be incredibly grateful for this holiday season. Thank you to all those that have served and continue to serve our country and our communities.

In my house, the holiday season has always been a celebration of family, community and generosity. It's about a spirit of togetherness -- a recognition of the feeling we get when we treat everyone with dignity, respect and love. It's about the people whose very presence warms our heart and puts a smile on our face. And it's about the remarkable and extraordinary ways we show our appreciation for others without expecting anything in return.

That's also why I also want to take a moment to thank you and give you my sincere appreciation for everything you have done this past year.

Looking back on the last ten months, I feel incredibly blessed to have been a part of a movement that has always been about coming together and truly caring about the well being of one another, whether it be immediate family members, friends, neighbors or complete strangers. You've lived our Wisconsin values of family, community and generosity every day and in doing so, you've given a voice to so many people in our state.

From all of us at the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, thank you.

Wishing you a joyous and safe holiday season,

Mike Tate

Chair, Democratic Party of Wisconsin