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CLEAR WATER, Wis. (WEAU) – With Christmas just two days away, a group worked to bring some Christmas cheer to an Eau Claire veteran.
In one day, a team of Santa’s Helpers with Green Oasis decorated the hallways of a house on the west side of Eau Claire.
The Vietnamese vet who received this gift said it was a complete surprise.
Each Christmas season, Green Oasis gives back to the community by decorating a veteran’s home for the holiday.
To help them connect with a veterinarian, people can send in applications.
This year, they selected Thomas McMahon.
He served as a gunner aboard helicopters that picked up soldiers during the Vietnam War.
His son-in-law appointed him to get these Christmas decorations on his lawn.
“Tom inspired me in my life,” said Greg Swoboda, McMahon’s son-in-law. “He even inspired me to join the military at one point and it’s again, a brotherhood. It doesn’t matter if he’s old or young, and if he’s my stepfather, I wanted him to he has that.
McMahon said he appreciated the new decorations.
“I used to decorate every year, but in recent years I’ve slowed down. Once I hit 80, I sort of slowed down,” McMahon said.
For his son-in-law Greg, he said it was also a great opportunity to reunite with family.
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