When the New York Sun editor Frank Church answered little Virginia’s question with "Yes Virginia, there really is a Santa Claus," over a hundred years ago, he probably never knew that one of the hardest things to experience in a young man’s life is to be in a war torn combat zone at Christmas time. The veterans that survive any war know only too well the horrors and tragedies that result from being in combat and they also know how hard it is to be away from loved ones, family and friends during Christmas, a holiday that promotes peace and good will. This is a story about two young men who experienced that emotional hardship.
Several days before Christmas 1969, the excitement was high among the troops at Camp Eagle which was the largest base the 101st Airborne Division had in Vietnam’s Northern I Corps. The Bob Hope Show was coming to Camp Eagle and this was the first time since the beginning of the war that he came this far North. At the show he even quipped "we even had to invite Ho Chi Minh so we wouldn’t have any trouble."
Even though they were somewhat caught up in the excitement, there were two troopers who were still battling with their emotions because one just recently arrived in Vietnam and was just starting to get to know everyone and the other just transferred into the company from another unit. Being away from family and friends at Christmas time was bad enough, but to be taken away from his old unit and the friends he had made in the past eighteen months made the situation even worse.
Trying to make the best of a very depressing situation both troopers came up with the idea of having Santa Claus visit their company on Christmas. Having permission from their commanding officer, the two troopers set out on their mission. The biggest task of all was, where do you find a Santa Claus costume in Vietnam?
After scrounging around for a couple of hours they came up with some cotton, tape and a huge trauma gauze bandage donated by the medics and they liberated a red crepe paper bell that someone had left hanging in a bunker. As the company party neared they hollowed out the paper bell and attached a ball of cotton to the top to make Santa’s hat. The large piece of gauze was shredded to make a make shift beard. What about the red suit you may ask. Well red is out of style in a combat zone and everyone, even Santa, should wear green or camouflage. The two troopers set out for the company Christmas party, one dressed as Santa, as best as could be expected, and the other carrying two duffel bags full of Red Cross "ditty" bags and a few gag gifts for some of the officers and senior N.C.Os.
Before the gifts were handed out, someone came up with the idea that we should share some of our "goodies" with those less fortunate than us so there were boxes placed on both sides of Santa’s chair. As the rest of the company, including the commanding officer took turns sitting on Santa’s lap to get their "goodie" bag, they were asked to put what they did not want in the boxes and we would take the donations to an local Vietnamese orphanage the next day. Much to the surprise of Santa and his helper most of the men dropped their "goodie" bag into the boxes without even opening it. Some even donated goodies from their care packages from home. Well all good things must come to an end. Santa Claus, Christmas and the Bob Hope Show came and went and the nasty business of war became everyone’s priority again.
After two months went by the trooper that played Santa Claus was told to report to the commanding officer. When he was face to face with his superior, he was told that his grandmother had passed away and his family requested that he be given emergency leave. The commanding officer explained that according to regulations personnel are only permitted emergency leave for a death if it is a parent or guardian, but the final decision was up to the commanding officer. The trooper explained that his grandmother was not his legal guardian although he lived with her for eight years. Knowing that the troopers tour of duty was almost over he asked the trooper how long before he was eligible to return to the States. The trooper replied "less than thirty days." His company commander shuffled his papers and said " You played Santa Claus for us, now I’m going to play Santa Clause for you. Go pack your bags, you’re going home."
I know this story is true because I was the trooper that played good old Santa Claus. When someone asks me if I believe in Santa Claus, I always reply "Yes," even now when I am approaching my middle aged years. Since then I have always known that all of us could play the part of Santa Claus. Not so much as the jolly old elf in a red suit that gives out presents only at Christmas, but anyone can be a Santa Clause at any time by giving someone something that they will appreciate the rest of their life. Every year at Christmas my family and I go to Midnight Mass together and every year I say silently to myself, "Merry Christmas Major Meyers, where ever you are."