KAKTOVIK GETS VISITORS

Kaktovik is a three-hundred person outpost of civilization on the coast of Alaska’s frigid Arctic Ocean. The village is about as remote as it can get and still be on Alaska’s mainland. But that’s no deterrence to our Alaska Air National Guard and “Operation Santa Claus.”

On Saturday, Santa and Mrs. Claus flew into Kaktovik on an Air Guard C130 Hercules, accompanied by a group of “elves” (I was the “mature” rotund volunteer “elf”), and distributed gifts to the village children. We also provided a Holiday lunch for the village, and great music from the US Air Force “Greatlander” Band from Elmendorf AFB. In turn, Katovik’s dance group performed dance and music for us.

Operation Santa Claus originally stared in 1956. Since then, tens of thousands of Alaska’s children in bush communities have benefited from the generosity of the Alaska Air National Guard, and the civilian community that supports Operation Santa Claus.

My first Santa Claus trip was last year to Venetie. This year’s trip to Kaktovik was especially meaningful to all of us, because Kaktovik is the village that lost its power last winter, and suffered so much. The Air Guard came to the rescue during the emergency, but this time came in a happier time to bring good cheer.<
I really enjoy my legislative work, both during the session, and during the interim. But I must confess, I especially enjoy opportunities to participate in such personally fulfilling activities as Operation Santa Claus. The Holiday Season is a joy.