American St. Nick in wartime Europe

Every year, a little Luxembourg town remembers some holiday cheer amid the darkness of WWII.  In 1944 an American soldier named Dick Brookins dressed up as St. Nick to lighten the burden of suffering for the children of Wiltz, during a holiday party put on by the GIs.  This is such a heartwarming story, and I know that's very cliche to say at this time of year.  But what strikes me most is that this was a man fresh from battle, a man probably suffering himself, who made a choice (along with the other GIs who thought up the party idea) to transcend his own pain for the sake of restoring tradition.  Holiday details like Santa Claus and parties are things we take for granted, and it's nice to be reminded that we make a choice to be happy at this time of year, and to be together, and to celebrate.  I like the way that suffering seems to have met suffering here and come up with something bright and happy that has managed to create its own, lasting ritual of gratitude and compassion.