American St. Nick

The American St. Nick tells the TRUE story of a handful of American soldiers that brought Christmas back a the small Luxembourg town nestled into the story-book hills of the Ardennes.It's December 1944, the Germans are retreating and it appears as if the war in Europe is soon to end, but not soon enough for members of the battle-weary 28th Infantry Division. It's clear they won't be home for Christmas once again. Knowing this, a few soldiers from a 112th regiment signal company in Wiltz realize that although the town has been liberated after nearly five years of Nazi occupation, the ravages of war have left them with nothing to celebrate the season, especially for the children on the normally town-wide celebration of St. Nicolas Day.Hearing this, the fast thinking Corporal Harry Stutz gathers fellow soldiers and organizes a Christmas party for the children that will include a special visit from St. Nicolas himself, thanks to a reluctant Corporal Richard Brookins who dons priest's mass robes and a crudely fashioned rope beard to complete the costume. St. Nicolas rides through town on an Army jeep, stopping to meet the children and pass out treats baked by the Army cooks. It's a wonderful day for the children of Wiltz and for the American soldiers who wouldn't be home that holiday season.Ten days later the forests of the Ardennes erupt as the Germans mount a last-chance offensive against the Allies. Wiltz and the 28th Infantry Division are overrun; the horrors of war leaving the peace and joy of that St. Nicolas day a shadowed memory...but not forgotten. Following the war as the town rebuilt and those who survived vowed to honor and never to forget the kindness and generosity of those few American soldiers that one St. Nicolas Day. From then on...the Wiltz St. Nicolas Day celebration would include a new tradition: someone would dress not as St. Nicolas, but rather as the American St. Nicolas and recreate that 1944 jeep ride through town for the children.The American St. Nick is a true, heart-warming soldier's Christmas story that spans nearly seven decades and will surprise and amaze to this very day.