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 The breakfast is sponsored by the Cronin Brothers VFW
Post 1756 and its auxiliary and the Marine Corps League Detachment
1336. A free breakfast consisting of pancakes, pancake wrapped
sausage, orange juice, milk, and for the grown-ups coffee, was
served from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
As everyone knows, this time of year Santa Claus is a very busy guy.
Therefore, he has to appoint ambassadors to dress like him and act
on his behalf with area children. Most children know that Santa
looks different everywhere they go, and this is the reason why.
This year, Santa’s ambassador at the VFW was Chaplain Ryan Edgecombe
from Christian Village. This was the first time Edgecombe has
represented Santa at the annual breakfast, and it was obvious that
he was enjoying it as much if not more than the children.
Throughout the morning Santa sat at the foot of the large VFW
Christmas tree in a comfortable rocking chair. He greeted children
as they approached and urged them to sit on his lap and share the
desires for Christmas this year.
Some did so gladly, while others were a bit more reluctant. Even so,
Santa did what he could to make them comfortable and of course the
bag of treats the children received at the end of their visit served
to help almost all of them leave happy.
It turns out this Santa is a “singing Santa.” When
there was a lull in the line of children waiting to see him, Santa
hopped out and walked among the crowd eating breakfast and burst
into song, much to the delight of everyone.
On the food line, the Marine Corps League members were busy most of
the morning, serving up food and encouraging people to eat well
because there was plenty of food for everyone.
On the sidelines, a long time mainstay of the Marine
Corps League, Commandant Jim Harnacke was wheelchair bound. He said
it is a temporary situation with an upcoming surgery after the first
of the year.
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While he regretted not being able to work the line
with his fellow league members, he very much enjoyed visiting with
folks as they exited the food line.
Members of the VFW 1756 Auxiliary were on hand, giving out coloring
pages and crayons to the children in attendance. The ladies were
also busy working in the kitchen and clearing tables as guests
finished up their breakfast.
Back at the Christmas tree, Santa had some unique requests. One
child came with a small notebook and asked for Santa’s autograph.
Santa said that he had a number of names because he was called by
different titles in different parts of the world. He wrote down
three of his favorites - Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, and Kris
Kringle.
A few other children also asked for his autograph, bringing their
coloring pages to Santa and asking him to sign.
And, there were a couple of children who worked carefully to color
the pages they were given then took them to Santa and presented them
to him as a gift from them.
In all, it was a fun day for everyone. The VFW and Marine Corps
League does the breakfast with Santa event annually, and typically
around the second Saturday in December. If you missed out this year,
mark your calendar now for next year and be on the lookout for an
announcement in Lincoln Daily News.
[Nila Smith]
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