In the middle of a noisy aircraft hanger, amidst helicopters, raffle winners, gift distribution and a food line, hundreds of “wounded warrior” soldiers, their families and their support cadre gathered Dec. 9 for a Christmas party.

Jim Dyer, retired Army and a member of Christ Baptist Church in Raleigh, was the Santa Claus, sitting happily for more than two hours as a steady line of kids in camo clomped forward for a picture with him. He deftly held the hands of those with the most chocolate or mustard on them, to keep them from soiling the fur trim on his suit. A surprising number of pre-schoolers wanted nothing to do with the sleigh rider.

Dyer took no offense, rising instead to let mom or dad sit in the Santa seat with the child and Jim stood behind them. Usually by the time the photo op was completed, Santa could get a high five from the child.

Some 600 soldiers who are recovering from illness, injuries or wounds are in the Warrior Transition Battalion right now. They are “transitioning” from their injuries back to an Army station, or out of the Army altogether. More than 2,100 have been treated since 2007, according to Wounded Warrior Battalion Commander Maj. Bill Bliss, who took a picture with Santa and his children Will, Sydney and Laurel, and his wife Becky.

Angel Price limped through the line with her children Mahogany and Omar. She is at the end of her duty, as her reserve unit from Roanoke Rapids has fulfilled its tour. She came home with a concussion and shrapnel in her body.

Omar was curious if Santa was “the real Santa.” Donning his most convincing twinkle and most resonant “Ho, ho, ho,” Santa Dyer said, “Now, why would you ask that question?” Omar was convinced.

Dyer had no particular expectations for the afternoon. He gave up a paying gig to join the soldiers because he “wanted to do something front line to help the soldiers.”

A former helicopter pilot during two tours in Vietnam, he loved being around the people and machines.

“It’s always a great joy to be with young families with children and to see the excitement on the faces of children and parents, particularly when they see a real bearded Santa and say, ‘Oh, he’s real.’”

Operation Helping Hands for Heroes, an organization formed just this year, collected and distributed to every soldier stockings filled with personal items, “so they can use their money for other things.”

Virtually all the wounded warriors were ambulatory, some leaning on canes or crutches. Their job during this time is to get better, to heal up and transition to their next assignment.

A happy Christmas party in a hanger with a Santa whose eyes, voice and experience exude sincere appreciation is a good antidote to pain.

(EDITOR’S NOTE — A story about Jim Dyer will be appearing in the Biblical Recorder’s Dec. 18 issue and online.)