For
hundreds of years, Wiltz had celebrated the Christmas season with
visits from St. Nicholas, who would bestow gifts, sweets and chocolates
to boys and girls.

But four years of German occupation had meant
four years without a traditional Christmas parade, and four years
without a visit from St. Nick.

“So, Harry had this idea for a
party. And we asked all of our G.I. friends to provide us with candy
and stuff so we could give it to the kids. We had no toys, but it just
grew until it was a town affair,” Brookins said. —CNN

A moment of humanity at the close of WWII.