Santa lifts spirits of front line Canadian troops
December 24, 2006 By BILL GRAVELAND
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MAS'UM GHAR, Afghanistan (CP) - It had a Canadian look to it but the red and white uniform worn by the visitor to Canadian troops at forward operating base Mas'um Ghar was definitely not regulation.
However, the government-issued flak jacket worn underneath certainly was.
"Santa may be silly, Santa may be jolly, but Santa is certainly not stupid," said the famous old gentlemen looking in surprisingly good shape and cutting a very bright figure against the grey and brown rocks as he climbed up the steep mountainside to bring cheer to troops at the observation post.
Missing from the picture were his famous sleigh and reindeer but there's a military reason for that.
"Unfortunately my sleigh isn't quite ready yet. It's being reinforced and up armoured, so they're working on that. Hoping it will be ready for next year," he said.
As for the request from one of the female tankers that she wanted a Leopard 2 tank for Christmas?
"I can't discuss that but as I said, I don't have my sleigh this year and so the gifts I have for them unfortunately will have to wait," said Santa.
Santa was a hit with the troops and posed with several who brought out a chair so they could sit on his lap and pose for pictures.
It was a struggle to get the man behind the beard, Warrant Officer Jean Blain of Montreal, to come out of character for a few minutes to answer a few questions. He had no qualms about donning the Santa suit and bringing some cheer to the men and women serving here.
"It's the least I can do. I'm not a front line soldier although I've been out here on the front line in a support role," he added. "Considering the seriousness of the situation and what's going on here, I thought the least I could do is come out here and spread a little Christmas joy."
Blain has played Santa several times in the past and at many of his former postings, including children's Christmas parties in the units, and at some schools dating back to 1994, when he was stationed in Vernon, B.C.
Santa was particularly proud of his spiffy new suit, which was sent to him from home.
"Credit goes to my older sister Michelle and her friend Joanne who made it up for me," said Blain.
"In the past I've had to borrow suits and costumes. By the way, the beard and the hair are courtesy of Sears," he added
December 24, 2006 By BILL GRAVELAND
Article Link
MAS'UM GHAR, Afghanistan (CP) - It had a Canadian look to it but the red and white uniform worn by the visitor to Canadian troops at forward operating base Mas'um Ghar was definitely not regulation.
However, the government-issued flak jacket worn underneath certainly was.
"Santa may be silly, Santa may be jolly, but Santa is certainly not stupid," said the famous old gentlemen looking in surprisingly good shape and cutting a very bright figure against the grey and brown rocks as he climbed up the steep mountainside to bring cheer to troops at the observation post.
Missing from the picture were his famous sleigh and reindeer but there's a military reason for that.
"Unfortunately my sleigh isn't quite ready yet. It's being reinforced and up armoured, so they're working on that. Hoping it will be ready for next year," he said.
As for the request from one of the female tankers that she wanted a Leopard 2 tank for Christmas?
"I can't discuss that but as I said, I don't have my sleigh this year and so the gifts I have for them unfortunately will have to wait," said Santa.
Santa was a hit with the troops and posed with several who brought out a chair so they could sit on his lap and pose for pictures.
It was a struggle to get the man behind the beard, Warrant Officer Jean Blain of Montreal, to come out of character for a few minutes to answer a few questions. He had no qualms about donning the Santa suit and bringing some cheer to the men and women serving here.
"It's the least I can do. I'm not a front line soldier although I've been out here on the front line in a support role," he added. "Considering the seriousness of the situation and what's going on here, I thought the least I could do is come out here and spread a little Christmas joy."
Blain has played Santa several times in the past and at many of his former postings, including children's Christmas parties in the units, and at some schools dating back to 1994, when he was stationed in Vernon, B.C.
Santa was particularly proud of his spiffy new suit, which was sent to him from home.
"Credit goes to my older sister Michelle and her friend Joanne who made it up for me," said Blain.
"In the past I've had to borrow suits and costumes. By the way, the beard and the hair are courtesy of Sears," he added
By the way the female tanker got it right when she said we want Leopard 2 for Christmas. ;D
