A U.S. Army sergeant plays Santa Claus to an Afghan child last Christmas. The candy was sent by Vero Beach residents Pat and Paul Schwartz through the local "Holidays for Heroes" drive. "He's our ambassador, touching lives on the other side of the world," says Paul.
As the sergeant crept into the Afghan village he was armed to the hilt – with candy canes. It was Christmas 2008, and with his bushy beard the 200-pound Army medic looked every inch a GI Joe version of Santa Claus.
Spotting a group of children, the sergeant squatted down, reached into his pack and held out his hand palm-up in a gesture of friendship. In his hand the red-and-white candy canes and colorful hard candies – sent to him in a Christmas package by residents of Vero Beach – drew the children to him like bees to honey. One by one they came, each grabbing a candy, then darting away.
Out of the corner of his eye, the sergeant spotted an older boy running toward a house. A few minutes later, the boy returned pushing a wheelbarrow. Nestled inside, a little boy who appeared to be about 3 gave the soldier a big smile and held out his hand.
Showering the boys with the last of the goodies in his pack, the sergeant got to his feet, and, with a wave and a smile, went on his way, his mission to win the hearts and minds of the local people accomplished.
Read the entire article in the November 2009 issue
True Tails is a series written by Amy Robinson for Vero Beach’s dog lovers. Ask Amy about your dog’s behavior by clicking below.
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