Post 106
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, December 2, 2009
The American Legion Post 106 family gathered Dec. 7 to remember the lost lives at Pearl Harbor and other wars.
A bright-eyed child walked through the door, followed by other children. Within minutes, Post 106 was filled with more than 70 children, all excited to see Santa Claus.
The man in the red suit arrived at the Legion to collect Christmas wish lists.
Some of the children said Santa was real; another said he was a Marine on drill weekend with the Reserves. Yet another child said Santa was his dad.
One thing they all agreed upon ó the man in the suit was Santa Claus.
The Post called him Sgt. Santa and he is a legionnaire of the Post. Santa a Legion member? He even carries a card.
The children talked amongst themselves as to how he was coming ó by air, land or sea.
Suddenly there was stomping and a commotion. Who could it be? Up the steps and through the door, the one who the children had be waiting for … Santa Claus.
One child, Jimmy, yelled that he wanted a new bike. A young girl, Suzy, wanted a doll, and another child wanted a race car set.
Each one got to sit on Sgt. Santa’s lap to tell him their secret wishes.
Santa’s elves at the post provided gifts for the children, including fruit baskets, cookies and punch.
The members of Post 106 know the citizens have seen bad times. There have been plant closings and cut backs because of the economy. But for the children, it’s the hardest to understand what that all means. Children only understand it’s Christmas and it’s time to celebrate.
Children start losing hope and the spirit of Christmas with family members losing jobs and major business closings. The children realize their parents can’t afford a lot this year.
The Post members, Sons of the American Legion and Auxiliary wanted to take the lead to have a Christmas party for the children. The members set up the party and invited all families of the Post and their children.
“This gives that child who sees the world folding around them, hope and a little bit of Christmas spirit, which they surely thought would not be here this year,” said Commander Tom Kopetsky.
“We gave them this hope and spirit as many other Legion Posts throughout our glorious country have done. We as a country must never let them lose hope. They are the future of our country and we won’t fail them.”
Merry Christmas to you, one and all. Never lose hope. All you have to do is believe.
Semper Fidelis to the few, and y’all keep the faith.