Dec 23 2009

Kindness of American Saint Nick remembered

What can one say about this? Except that its totally wonderful.

A small town in Luxembourg once destroyed by fierce fighting remembers one of the bright moments in the dark of World War II — a visit from Saint Nick.

For Dick Brookins, a U.S. soldier standing in for an absent Saint Nicholas, it was to change his life also and help him find some meaning for the war in Europe.

Sixty five years after he first donned the flowing robe, the miter hat, and the white fluffy beard to become St. Nicholas, Brookins chuckles as he remembers his reluctance to assume his now memorable role.

It was a cold and dreary December 1944. Brookins was a lanky 22-year-old American Corporal fresh from battle.

And Wiltz, a tiny town in Luxembourg ravaged by war welcomed the weary soldiers who had helped liberate their town from occupation.

It was to be a brief respite for the U.S. troops, before pressing on to their next offensive. And the last thing on Brookins’ mind was a Christmas party.

Humanity at its absolute best

4 comments

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    • RiaD on December 23, 2009 at 15:04
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    mrD’s grandfather told us about how during WWI they were in some french town, a couple soldiers per house. two or three days before christmas they got their holiday rations which included an orange & a bit of chocolate. the town was poor after the ravages of war, the children of the town had little to look forward to. the soldiers decided to give their oranges & chocolate to these children. apparently many soldiers felt the same in towns throughout the battleground & many children got a small unexpected treat.

    mrD’s grandfather said he could never eat oranges without seeing those childrens eyes…..

    Happy Holidays to you dear mishima

    ♥~

    • RiaD on December 24, 2009 at 02:37
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    to you dear mishima!

    this story this morning has wrought a wonderous change in my outlook. (i hope you do not mind, i shared it around a bit…)

    i had been feeling very BAH! Humbug!! & not in the spirit of the holiday At. All.

    but you reminded me what it’s really all about.

    you brought me the spark of christmas spirit i so sorely needed.

    thank you ever so much!

    Merry Christmas!

    • Alma on December 24, 2009 at 03:17
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    much someones act of kindness can change peoples lives without them ever knowing.  I’m glad he found out what it had meant to the town.  This wonderful story had me crying like a baby.  ðŸ™‚

    Thanks mishima!

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