Free Republic

A U.S.-based group representing people who portray Santa Claus during the Christmas season wants its members to be designated a priority group to receive the swine flu vaccine. Over the next few weeks, Father Christmases will come into contact with thousands of children at shopping malls and Santa Claus parades. The Amalgamated Order of Real Bearded Santas, a fraternal organization that provides training and resources for people who work or volunteer as Santa Clauses, said the health of its roughly 700 members is a real concern. "Yes, we should be given the needle," said Nicholas Trolli, the organization's president. "Many...

CONCORD, N.H. – Forget cookies and milk. Santa wants the swine flu vaccine. Many of the nation's Santas want to be given priority for the vaccine and not just because of those runny-nosed kids. There's also the not-so-little matter of that round belly. Research has suggested obesity could be a risk factor. Swine flu has become such a concern that the Amalgamated Order of Real Bearded Santas featured a seminar on the illness at a recent conference in Philadelphia. The group also urged its members to use hand sanitizer and take vitamins to boost their immune systems. The president...

CAMP TAJI -- One of the toughest times during a Soldier’s deployment is the holidays, but Soldiers are not the only ones who are homesick and miss their loved ones. Spc. Nicole Daly, a motor vehicle operator, for the 1157th Transportation Battalion, Wisconsin Army National Guard, attached to 15th Sustainment Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, often sees the smiling faces of the men who work at the “bag farm,” a bulk fuel re-supply point where the fuel containers look like oversized bags. These employees are third country nationals who are from the Philippines, said Daly. ”They celebrate Christmas just like you...

FORT HUACHUCA — More than 500 children of GIs are looking for special elves to brighten their Christmas this year. For the second consecutive year, Army civilians, contractors and soldiers involved in the fort’s unmanned aerial system training center have become Santa’s helpers, stepping up and providing 62 bicycles that were on the wish list of some of the children. Jim Callahan, site manager for Anteon, who headed up the Christmas project, said the bike request tops last year’s 48 requests. Besides Anteon, Don Patterson Associates, a subcontractor to Anteon, Department of the Army civilians and soldiers of Company E,...