The holiday season is upon us once again and down at Ft. Benning, GA they are busy trying to fill up Santa's Castle with toys and gifts for the children of the soldiers stationed there that may not otherwise get something for Christmas.
I am very familiar with Santa's Castle having been stationed at Ft. Benning on two different occasions. In the past they operated a rehab shop so even used toys or items like bicycles that are donated that require repairs can be fixed that is manned by soldiers, but apparently now they request that toys be new.
This year as part of their toy drive they offered airborne soldiers a chance to get some Chilean Airborne Wings. The price of admission was a toy for which the paratrooper would once again be given a chance to fling himself out of an aircraft.
Operation Sleigh Ride, held annually on post, garners hundreds of gifts for the children of cash-strapped Fort Benning soldiers while also making it possible for sky soldiers such as Young to earn foreign jump wings.
This year’s event attracted close to 240 paratroopers to Fryar Drop Zone, said Col. Jon Ring, commander of the 1st Battalion, 507th Infantry Regiment, 11th Infantry Regiment, 199th Infantry Brigade, which sponsored the jump.
There is a video at the link of the jump along with more information concerning Santa's Castle.
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