Our December issue focuses on the accomplishments of Latinas and Latinos in the military service. This group of committed, hardworking individuals, whose choice of profession has put them in harm’s way to protect our way of life, are a constant source of inspiration to us at LATINA Style. The National LATINA Symposium recognizes their accomplishments and is one of our most cherished programs. Brigadier General Camille Nichols, U.S. Army; Brigadier General Linda R. Urrutia-Varhall, U.S. Air Force; and Rear Admiral Raquel Cruz Bono, U.S. Navy were recognized for their years of service and for preparing the road for other young Latinas to follow. We were also honored to have had the opportunity to recognize Admiral Gary Roughead, (RET) Chief of Naval Operations, for his outstanding leadership of the U.S. Navy and for leaving a legacy of minority inclusion and promotion of women that is unequaled in our armed services. Under his watch, the U.S. Naval Academy reached over 35 percent minority participation in their enrollment. We hope the other services follow the example; it can be done. Special thanks to Assistant Secretary Juan Garcia USN, and Capt. Ken Barrett, Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez and Congressman Joe Baca for their support. This issue also presents our year in review and our special automotive guide. I hope you will enjoy them.

The Holidays are a wonderful time, a time of celebration, enjoying family, friends and colleagues. It is also the most exhausting time of the year, especially for those of us that still choose to shop “in person.” I hope that you at least exercised enough to have some kind of stamina and will not get run over by the crowds. As a rule of thumb, try to avoid getting tased, (it leaves a funny taste in your mouth for days I am told), do not attempt to sit on the lap of the store Santa (unless you weigh less than 50 pounds) and do not start a fight for the last toy -- the one that you desperately need for your grandchild. In summation, walk around as a graduate student writing your thesis and enjoy watching the strange behaviors going on around you. You will have a lot of fun. In a serious note it has been a difficult year. I hope 2012 brings you better tidings. If you are still looking for a job, I hope you find one; the contract you have been working so hard to get, I hope you finally close it; the nagging health issue that has been slowing you down, I hope it goes away; the road blocks that have been making your life a struggle, I hope they go away.

But most of all, I hope that all your loved ones make it through the Holidays safe, especially all our brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, son and daughters and yes, grandfathers and grandmothers serving our country in far and dangerous lands. We hope to celebrate with all of you your safe return home. From all of us have a Happy 2012!

Robert E. Bard