Santa Claus wipes his eyes during an emotional Pledge of Allegiance at the Trees for Troops ceremony Dec. 7. The event was held at the DHL hub on March Air Reserve Base and hosted by both the air carrier and the March Joint Powers Authority. After the ceremony, Old St. Nicholas carried Christmas trees onto a truck for transportation to an awaiting aircraft. Boxes of ornaments, stocking stuffers and Christmas cards made by local children, along with 250 trees, are being sent to troops in the Middle East. Five-hundred more trees will be sent from New York. Among the many in attendance were U.S. Congressman Ken Calvert, Assemblyman Paul Cook, Brigadier General James L. Melin, commander of the 452nd Air Mobility Wing, Col. Jeffrey Barnson, 452nd AMW Vice Commander, Col. John Jensen, commander of the California Air National Guard’s 144th Fighter Wing, Det. 1, Army Col. Gregory Maida, commander of the 304th Sustainment Brigade and Command Sgt. Maj. Donald Thelen, command sergeant major of the 304th Sustainment Brigade. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Amy Abbott)
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