On December 15, the US Occupation of Iraq officially ended. In 2011, we saw the deaths of Osama Bin Laden, Kim Jong-iL and Muammar Gaddafi.

But this should hardly suggest that the world is at peace. Throughout the World, conflicts rage on. Throughout Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, as well as South and Central America, many people woke up this Christmas morning to something all too familiar – the sounds and stresses of war.

This morning, more than 1.5 billion people, or about one-quarter of the entire world population, are living below the international poverty line. More than 900 million people will wake up hungry.

Today, about 450 million people wake up suffering from a mental illness in both developed and developing countries. Roughly 210,000 people will die from a drug-related cause.

Sobering facts on this Christmas morning.

Christmas is indeed a day to celebrate, and to join together with family and friends, to eat, drink and be merry.

It is also a day to appreciate our freedom, health and safety…and to remember those who may not be able to. 

Today, this Christmas Day, we pause to think of those in need throughout the world. And we remember those who worked in 2011 to help others in need – the men and women of the armed forces, the police, the fire service, plus industrial safety professionals…in other words, our customers.

Let’s also give special consideration to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Our Happy Holiday is possible only because of the efforts of people who risk everything for the health and safety of others.

Thank you…and Merry Christmas.