FORT BLISS, Texas — Soldiers eating at the Bamford Dining Facility on Christmas Day were awed by a display of “servant leadership” when Col. Ted Murphy, Fort Bliss Garrison commander, surprised the ranks by showing up to serve Christmas dinner unannounced.

“For the first time in three years, I thought I’d have him home for the holidays,” said Karen Murphy, Col. Murphy’s wife of 24 years. “Then as soon as I asked him to pick my mother up at El Paso International Airport, he suddenly had to be at work.”