Families share holiday on tape

Jennifer Wilder knew Friday was going to be a challenge.

The Carol Stream woman had one minute to keep her sons Jack, 5, and Will, 2, still enough to videotape a holiday greeting to her husband, David, an Air Force major stationed in Iraq.

"Just sit quietly and talk and tell Dad what you got for Christmas," Jennifer said to Jack, as Will began to whimper.

As soon as it was over, both boys took off up and down the First Division Museum gallery, occasionally bumping into staffers and stopping their mom midway through an interview with a television news reporter.

"Luckily we have family around, so it makes this time easier. Hopefully, he's safe and will be home soon," she said.

A few minutes later, after corralling her energetic sons and readying them for a trip through the museum, she said, jokingly, "He owes me big-time for this."

The Wilder family greeting came thanks to Operation Holiday Cheer, a program organized by Cantigny Park near Wheaton.

First Division Museum staffers helped walk-ins videotape and e-mail a holiday video greeting to servicemen and servicewomen stationed abroad.

The messages will be e-mailed to the service personnel just in time for Christmas.

West Chicago resident Diana Denton came Friday afternoon to send a message to her nephew, Army Spec. Thomas Stanhope. This will be the second time the Army National Guard soldier will be away from his family for Christmas.

"Any time I can be in touch with him is just great," Denton said. "I just wanted to make sure he knew he was not forgotten. We're still here supporting him."

Angela Wills, who is visiting family in the Western suburbs for the holidays, learned about the video greeting event through a sister who works at the museum.

She and several family members filmed separate greetings for her husband, Marine Capt. Joseph Wills, who is stationed in Iraq.

"I was trying to get (their 15-month-old daughter) Molly to talk a little bit," the mother said. "It's our little way of maybe making his day a little happier."

Staffers at the First Division Museum will reprise the event today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors are asked to call Cantigny Park in advance to reserve a spot, but walk-ins will be welcome.

For more information or to reserve a time for Operation Holiday Cheer, call Mike Goodale at (630) 260-8187 or Annah Mitchell at (630) 260-8213.