Do you remember what it was like when you were little and anticipating Santa Claus’ arrival?

I don’t recall many of the finer points of the wait. I do remember rushing down the hall at the various un-merry wee hours of Christmas morning to look over the mountain of presents he left.

I do recall some of Santa’s best presents. One year, I got a Nintendo.

Most anyone under 25 or 30 will struggle to remember that. Basically, it predates all the high-tech gadgetry of today.

We are only a few hours away from zero-hour; when Santa makes his annual arrival down our respective chimneys. I hope that each of your Christmas memories this year are even more merry than the last.

But while you enjoy time with your friends, family and loved ones, please remember those who may not be able to break free, or be given an extended holiday weekend with loved ones.

There are currently several hundred thousand military personnel dispatched overseas. Not only do they face daily dangers, they will spend the holiday season away from friends and family.

Locally, there will be firemen, policemen, emergency room staff, ambulance staff and E-911 staff that will spend Christmas at work rather than with their families.

Such is the nature of those jobs, but their sacrifice and service and dedication to their community is much appreciated.

For those of you with children, I hope you will navigate your way to the Demopolis Times’ website; www.demopolistimes.com and check out our Santa Tracker.

That can become a handy tool for you tonight as you work to get your children in bed before Santa makes his appearance.

The feed is located about halfway down the website’s homepage under the heading “Santa Tracker.”

Powered by NORAD, it’s probably the most sophisticated Santa Tracking feed that you’ll find anywhere. If Santa stops at Parr’s for a Coke and a slice of Hunt Brothers’ Pizza, you’ll know it.

If he stops at Robertson Bank to grab some cash out of the ATM, you can watch it unfold live from the comforts of your own home.

I have also heard that the ladies at the Mustard Seed have been put on North Pole Red Alert just incase Santa’s bag of presents starts to run light a little earlier than expected.

I hope each of you have a very Merry Christmas and enjoy this time with your friends and family.

Jason Cannon is the publisher of The Demopolis Times.