YONGSAN GARRISON, Republic of Korea – Some of U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan’s leadership delivered treats, hot chocolate, coffee and Christmas stockings all over Yongsan, Dec. 24.
Operation Santa Express is a yearly tradition that provides these goodies and more to the men and women who tirelessly and humbly work through weekend after weekend and holiday after holiday protecting the Area II military community.
Col. Michael E. Masley, garrison commander for USAG Yongsan, Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel Willing, command sergeant major for USAG Yongsan, Ricky Oxendine, director of Emergency Services for USAG Yongsan, and members of DES visited Area II's Military Police Station, fire station, emergency room and consolidated mailroom.
Oxendine, who originated the program, shared his feelings of why he supports the program.
“This is our seventh year doing Operation Santa Express,” Oxendine said. “We want to show our appreciation to all our first responders, our military police, our firefighters, our security guards, the ER team, our Korean national police. It’s not much, but it’s a token of our appreciation for everything they do each and every day, 24/7.”