On St. Nicholas Day, as elsewhere in Austria, 300 children awaited his visit in the Hörsching barracks. Santa arrived in AB212, accompanied by military chaplain Father Jakob Stoiber and an angel, and the occupants exited the helicopter after it had landed safely.
Young and old went to the dining room, where Santa Claus gave them the gift they had brought with them. The children enjoyed the bags of apples, tangerines and gingerbread. The younger one showed great patience in front of the large crowd.
Subsequently, food and drinks can be consumed at the stands set up by the Unteroffiziersgesellschaft OÖ and by the staff representatives for a voluntary donation. Donations raised will benefit an orphaned Petty Officer who died suddenly and unexpectedly this year. On this day, the son was handed a Puch Type 175 (built in 1959) which had been restored by his father’s companions. Now all you have to do is get the right driving license.
The evening ended with a performance by Perchten, who interpreted the story “Fünf vor Zwölf” appropriate for the season. In this one, Santa manages to save a little boy and his father from the clutches of the witch and the devil.
More than 600 guests attended the St. Nicholas and Advent celebrations, as announced by the Upper Austrian military command.
(red / ÖBH / MilKdo OÖ)
