As the McChord Field School Age Program entered the dining room area at the American Lake Veterans Affairs facility, Alyssa Adamsky and Julia Patrick quickly gathered a stack of homemade Christmas cards.

The two 10-year-olds bounced from table to table, wishing veterans "Merry Christmas" and handing them a card.

"I hope it made them feel happier," Patrick said.

Patrick and Adamsky were part of a group of about 25 students and staff members from McChord Field who visited the VA Monday, bringing with them cards, gift basket items and a whole lot of holiday cheer.

"You hear about everybody (sending packages) overseas for all the troops that are over there, but they forget about all the people that are right here that might not have families or loved ones nearby," McChord program director Sonja Welsh said.

After distributing cards and visiting with some veterans, the children, ranging in ages from 5 to 10 years old, lined up and sang a lively round of various Christmas carols.

Welsh got the idea for the visit after meeting Soldiers Angels volunteer Tracy Patterson at a local craft bazaar.

"We've been wanting to get a choir in here to sing for these guys," Patterson said. "I think it's better having an ‘unprofessional' choir with these children because (the veterans) love kids. I was really happy that these guys were able to come."

The school age program also gathered donations of various items in the weeks leading up to the visit to fill gift baskets for veterans at the facility.

"The parents and the kids brought in donations, and we gave them to Tracy on Friday," Welsh said. "We also brought more in today."

That bounty included toiletries and hand knitted items from the program's knitting and crocheting club. The United Service Organization Puget Sound Area and Old Navy also donated items to the baskets.

The McChord children signed up several days in advance to come sing and visit veterans, and rehearsed on the bus ride over from the base.

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