Since the weather outside was frightful on this December 19th due to freezing rain and then heavy rain, Santa ("always ready") came to visit the veterans at the Southeastern Veterans Center in Spring City, PA wearing his Type V inflatable life jacket along with a United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 44 (Phoenixville) escort!

Santa brought with him, thanks to generous donations from an anonymous donor and from the members of Flotilla 44 and 49, 350 pairs of socks and 22 pairs of sweat pants for these veterans.

Upon walking into the center, there arose such a clatter, all the veterans sprang from their beds to see what was the matter!  The three (four including Santa) members of Flotilla 44--D. Desimone, L. Skvarla, K. Solntzeff and Santa took time to visit each veteran on the second and fourth floor.  Needless to say, they were very surprised to see Santa and his "seafaring elves!"  The visit brought so much joy not only to these men and women, but to Santa and his escorts!  As they were leaving the Southeastern Veterans Center, the "littlest seafaring elf" was heard saying as she turned and waved back to the smiling and waving veterans, "Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!"

Flotilla 44 and 49 working together is why this endeavor was so successful.  Both flotillas embraced the true meaning of "Team Coast Guard" to make this Christmas a little brighter for our veterans!  They all deserve "thank you, a job well done!"