SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Members of the 52nd Fighter Wing joined German students and families at St. Martin’s Special Children’s School for a celebration of St. Nikolaus in Bitburg, Germany, Dec. 5, 2019.
Children’s voices rang out in Christmas carols that brought St. Nikolaus to visit their classroom where he spoke with the children to let them know how good they had been that year and that he was watching over their good deeds.
The partnership between St. Martin’s School and the 52nd FW has been ongoing since the closing of Bitburg Air Base in 1994. The relationship between communities remain as strong as ever, continuing the tradition of Special Children’s Day.
After the children’s carols brought in St. Nikolaus, he turned the magic over to the members of the 52nd FW, who then handed out presents to the students.
“It’s like Christmas for them every time we have Special Children’s Day,” said Kornelia Pitsch, 52 FW community relations advisor. “It’s almost like being in a new country, and eating American food and candies is a special event to them.”
Special Children’s Day has been held annually since 1994, and the children of St. Martin’s are able to visit the base and bond with their American friends over hamburgers and games.
Pitsch said that the relationship between Bitburg and Spangdahlem remains important, and the smiles and laughter of the children on Special Children’s Day warms everyone’s hearts.