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Amanda Butterfield reporting A group of Utah aviators stationed in Afghanistan delivered Christmas to hundreds of boys and girls in a small village there.
Amanda Butterfield talked with two of the pilots who organized "Angels for Afghanistan," and shows us even though the children had never heard of Santa Claus, they understand the spirit of giving.
Forget the sleigh, this year Santa and his helpers arrived in the village of Jegdalek, Afghanistan in Schnuck helicopters. A village, where people live in mud huts.
For two Utah pilots, it was one of the most memorable Christmas's they've had. With the help of their wives and community back in Utah, about 70 pallettes full of blankets, combs, shoes, candy and other necessities were shipped overseas.
Layne Pace: "We went through the packages and made 300 individual gift packages for the kids, some marked boys, some marked girls."
But before Santa handed out gifts, elders in the village wanted to share their culture.
"They danced and played drums for us, for about 25-30 minutes."
Then the pilots shared a part of theirs.
"We sang them Christmas carols, and Christmas songs." "We had one of our pilots play Santa Claus."
Each child received a package from Santa, filled with toys, blankets and hygiene kits.
"I believe this is the first time a lot of them have had something of their own, especially the girls."
And the pilots got something too... friendship.
Kerry Stauffer: "We had gone to a formal handshake, to every time we come out it's full Muslim body hugs." "We are considered very much their fraternal brothers and friends."
The 211th Aviation Battalion visits that village every two weeks to deliver medical aid and other supplies. The members have been stationed overseas since March, and expect to come home this spring.
