Airmen spread more holiday cheer

  • Published
  • 916th Public Affairs Office
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  It is the biggest night of the year for children around the world.

And Maj. Nate Rodriguez ensured the 'big guy' was ready when he met him earlier this month.

On Dec. 7, 2012 a few members of the 916th Air Refueling Wing had the pleasure of meeting Santa during the Durham Tower Lighting event at the American Tobacco campus in Durham, N.C.

Rodriguez compared notes with Claus that night to determine whose aircraft was faster. He concluded that a sleigh pulled by reindeer was light years ahead of the KC-135R Stratotanker.

Rodriguez, along with Majs. Shannon Mann and Erin Karl were present to help light the tower and remind the crowd not to forget the military men and women who are away from their families during the holidays.

Ken Smith, of WRAL news, interviewed each  one of the officers near the end of the program.

As a crowd of nearly 700 began the countdown, one of Santa's elves ran on-stage and presented the Airmen with a button to push to light the tower.

After the tower ignited with twinkling lights, Karl sang, "There's no place like home for the holidays," to those gathered.

The full event can be seen at: http://www.wral.com/entertainment/holiday/video/11857522/#/vid11857522

And don't forget to track Santa's epic journey across the world tonight using Norad's Santa tracker.