Christmas For Veterans | Video

Evan Kruegel | 12/12/2012

Presents, music, and appreciation... This is what veterans at Bethel Lutheran Home were surrounded by today for their 12th annual holiday celebration.

"A lot of them don`t have families that live here, some aren`t going to have families home, and these are the only gifts that some of them are getting. And it`s always nice because they`ll sit around and talk about their service years, and this is their fabulous little Christmas, and I love to do it”, Said event chairman Sandy Hampton.

Hampton collects donations before purchasing gifts for all 37 veterans living at the bethel home. While the veterans appreciate the celebration, they have mixed reactions upon receiving the presents.

"A lot of tears, and they think they should give them back because somebody could use them more than they can."

But Hampton says that`s simply not the case. This year, each veteran received socks, shirts, and a special sweatshirt which read `proud to be a veteran`.

"They are well deserved of it, and it`s really touching that they get to enjoy such a fabulous thing."

While Hampton can`t guarantee a 13th annual celebration, she does say it`s more than likely to happen.

"Each year I say I`m going to be done, but when I see their joys I say I can`t"

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