The Joint Hometown News Service is partnering this year with SiriusXM Radio to allow service members worldwide to send holiday greetings to loved ones back home.
Military members anywhere can call a toll-free number, 888-776-2790 or DSN 312-733-4660, to record a holiday message for airing on the satellite radio network.
Soldiers can call SiriusXM around the clock and leave a 15-second greeting. They will be prompted by a recorded message to provide their name, rank, duty location, hometown and then a short greeting to friends or family.
“Our goal is to get as many military members on the air for the holidays as possible,” said Rick Blackburn, director of the Joint Hometown News Service.
“Even in the world today with social media and service members able to Skype from anywhere, there’s still something special about turning on the radio and hearing a family member who cannot be home for the holidays,” he added.