Airmen exhibit true meaning of Christmas

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joshua Stevens
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  There was a nervous anticipation in the air as camera-clad adults and spectators waited with rows of excited children - Santa Claus would be there any minute.

A momentary silence was broken by the dropped jaws and gasps of the children as Santa rounded the corner, and soon all that could be heard were chants of "San-ta! San-ta! San-ta!"

The Gryphon Unit Advisory Council of the 28th Operations Squadron sponsored an Angel Tree gift program for the Youth and Family Services Child Care center in Rapid City, S.D., Dec. 20.

Planning started only three short weeks before the event.

"We always wanted to use the UAC for not only squadron functions and holiday parties, but to also do good things for the community," said Master Sgt. Cary Loeffler, 28th Operations Squadron superintendent. "So I called my wife (who happened to work at YFS) and found out about the program, which ended up being the right size for us to do something like this."

It was during a Thanksgiving potluck that he introduced the Angel Tree and the premise of the event to fellow squadron members, Sergeant Loeffler said. "It just blossomed from there."

The next day he received a phone call from the 34th Bomb Squadron's spouses club, saying that they would like to lend a hand also, he said.

This was no small undertaking.

The UAC had 149 children on the Angel Tree to provide gifts for, and each one received a gift, due to the participation of operations group servicemembers and their families, he said.

"Initially we had only thought about providing presents to take to them, but then we came up with the idea of Santa riding in on the Ellsworth B-1 Float, and it further ballooned from there," he said.

"Since Sept. 11, most members have been tied up with the mission, so it's nice to take a few minutes and do something like this for the children," said Lt. Col. Dave Garrett, 28th Operations Support Squadron commander.

All of this planning was in support of the children of YFS child care.

YFS has been in existence since 1965, sponsoring programs for children from birth to age 18 and providing service to over 10,000 children in Rapid City and western South Dakota, said Steve Merrill, the YFS development and community relations director.

YFS caters to all members of the community, a large percentage of which are families in need, Mr. Merrill said.

"The best part about this is that the kids are all together," he said. "You can't tell the difference between low income children and those who can afford to come here."

The children of YFS got the facility ready for the event in advance.

"They have been preparing all week, making 'thank you' banners, signs and cards," said Amy Willman, YFS child care director.

The YFS has several children's classes.

The classes are split by different age groups, and those groups are labeled with the name of a particular species of animal, Ms. Willman said. Those groups are the Giraffes, Tigers, Zebras, Monkeys, Bears, Ponies, Ducklings, Bunnies, and Caterpillars.

After the initial arrival of Santa (a.k.a. Sergeant Loeffler) on the float, it was time to hand out the presents, and the Caterpillars were up first.

"It's pretty neat to get to see them bring all these gifts. It brings a tear to my eye," said Angie Miller, mother of Jesse Miller, a Caterpillar student.

Jesse expressed excitement after opening up his new "Go Diego Go" scooter, thanking Santa for bringing presents from the North Pole.

"This takes a lot of stress out of the holidays for families," Mr. Merrill said. "They want to provide the perfect Christmas, but it's difficult. To see their child coming home with a gift can relieve a lot of tension. A parent might have to ask 'do I pay this bill, or do I buy a gift?' Now the child has something, when they might have had nothing."

After delivering the majority of the gifts, the last group to receive its presents was the Kindergarten class.

"I got a soccer ball, a race car, a monster truck and a robot," said Carter Johannesen, Kindergarten student and son of Darla Johannesen, a YFS employee. "It's cool that the military helped Santa."

The event made quite an impact on the area.

"I think it definitely puts the military in a favorable light," said Kelly Horn, father of a Caterpillar student. "Usually the community looks for ways to give back to the military; it's great to see the military give back too."

"It shows that the military cares about where they are at," Ms. Willman said. "It means a lot."

"You turn on the evening news, and all you hear about is war, war, war," Sergeant Loeffler said. "This shows even the smallest of children the good we do."

The experience had similar effects on military members who were involved, too.

"It's a chance for us to show that we're not just here for ourselves," said Airman 1st Class Ron Wallace, 28th Operations Squadron combat crew communicator and event volunteer. "We care for our community."

"During this time of year the military works very hard, and being able to come here does something internally to relieve stress and tension," said Capt. Rolf Holmquist, 28th Operations Group chaplain. "This is medicine for the troops, and a blessing all its own."

Sergeant Loeffler reflected on the event.

"It was a huge success, and hopefully this will turn into a squadron tradition that we can make even better in the future," he said.

Plans are already in the works for future events between YFS and the 28th OSS.