If there's not much snow up in this area, Gavin Johnson would still be excited to see snow flurries at his present locale on Christmas Day.

Last Saturday, Major Gavin Johnson of the Red Bull Division could see miles and miles of sand.

"We're stationed south of Kuwait City and arrived here the day before Halloween," said the Roseau native, mentioning that his unit is stationed at Camp Arifjan for a 10-month tour of duty.

As a RHS senior, he had long hair and could have passed for a beatnik. These days, his hair is clipped very short on the sides, and he is standing tall as they say in this m...