Santa comes to Vance in a T-1

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Lynn Aird
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  To warm the holiday spirits and bring tidings of good cheer, a very distinguished visitor stopped by this past weekend. Santa Claus came to town and invited families of the Vance Air Force Base community to breakfast. 

Oh, the weather outside was frightful, or at least very windy on the way to Hangar 170. But inside, the howl of the wind was quickly overshadowed by Christmas music and children's laughter. The maintenance hangar had been converted into a veritable winter wonderland. 

Organized as a joint event between Youth Programs and the Vance Officers' Spouses' Club, this is the second year that Breakfast with Santa has happened on such a large scale. 

"Rather than having two separate parties--the Wing Children's Christmas party and Breakfast with Santa--the two groups decided to combine their efforts into one large event that both children and parents could enjoy," explained Kate Holdeman, Youth Programs coordinator. 

The event's success could be measured by the attendance of more than 500 people. 

Families had a variety of muffins, fresh fruit, coffee and juices to choose from for their meal with Santa . 

The south side of the hangar was devoted to fun and games ranging from knocking over milk bottles, ring tosses, and two giant inflatable bounce houses. The north side housed arts and crafts such as ornament designing, cookie decoration, and face painting. 

"The activities were fun, and certainly enough to keep the kids busy," said 2nd Lt. Courtney Kucera, an officer awaiting pilot training who attended the event with her family. "They really enjoyed decorating the cookies and the picture frames. But of course, everything came second to Santa." 

The honored guest of the event arrived in inimitable fashion, taxiing up to the hangar in his personal T-1 Jayhawk. Flanked by a cheerful elf on either side, he was greeted by hundreds of excited children and their parents outside the hangar. 

Once inside, Santa and his elves took their place at the very center of the festivities. Seated on a stage amidst fully trimmed trees, Santa listened eagerly to the Christmas wishes of all the children. To entertain those waiting in line, a large projection screen showed several old Christmas movies. 

"The kids had a great time, and really enjoyed the events and the movies while they were waiting to see Santa," said Maj. Sonny Hignite, Training Flight commander at the 71st Operations Support Squadron. "I enjoyed myself and the chance to spend time with my family."