Family after family recently filed into the Calhoun National Guard Armory dining hall to celebrate Christmas.

“People are reaching out to make that connection, to bond with people who are going through the same thing,” said Deborah Kelley, family assistance center specialist for the Calhoun-based 108th Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition Squadron.

The 108th is currently stationed in Afghanistan, but their families are here, spread throughout Northwest Georgia, waiting to once again be whole.

On Saturday more than 700 people showed up to celebrate Christmas with the 108th, though event planners initially expected only 350-450 people. This group represented the family of five separate National Guard units from around the state.

“If we could get this many people together all the time, I think it would be good for all of us,” said Kathy Hendrix, whose husband Harley is in Afghanistan.

“This is definitely a huge success,” Kelley said. “It would make the soldiers glad to know so many families are here to mingle.”

This year’s party comes on the heels of a year that has been tough on not only the families of the 108th, but the community as a whole. Several servicemen from the area died in the battlefield in 2009.

In early June, Jeffrey William Jordan, 21, of Cave Spring, who served with the 108th Cavalry, was killed in Afghanistan.

1st. Sgt. John Blair, 38, of Calhoun, died in Afghanistan in June. He was an Army National Guardsman assigned to the 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment out of Lawrenceville.

Seth Sharp, a Marine from Adairsville, died in July during the early days of Marines’ Operation Strike of the Sword.

And Spc. Issac L. Johnson Jr., 24, of Columbus, was killed in July in Afghanistan. He was assigned to Rome-based Alpha Troop of the 108th Cavalry.

The memories of these and other fallen servicemen have spurred the creation of a Fallen Solider Memorial.

Staff members of the 108th formed a committee to draw up ideas for the monument, with the help of Fox and Brindle Construction in Calhoun.

The monument will stand about 20-feet tall by 20-feet wide with a statue of a fallen soilder, a cross with boots and a helmet. It will feature a reflection area and a brick walkway.

To raise funds for the monument, the 108th is selling 4-inch by 8-inch engraved bricks. Each brick is $50.

The memorial will honor fallen members of the 108th, but bricks can be purchased in honor of anyone who has served or is currently serving.

Each brick can be personalized with a three line message, each line can be 18 characters long. The 108th is also accepting donations from businesses.

“It has been word of mouth until this point, but we are really gaining momentum,” Hausen said.

Orders can be placed by visiting the armory on West Line Street in Calhoun or by calling 706-879-2901.