Carrying on a 15-year tradition, on 16 December 2019, EUFOR provided an escort for Santa Claus to visit a children’s charity event held at the barracks of the 4th Infantry Brigade Command AFBiH in Čapljina, Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, FBiH.
Warrant Officer 1 Ferdinand Schwarzl, of the Austrian National Contingent supporting EUFOR, volunteered to play the important role of Santa Claus at the annual children’s charity event attended by 120 children, 80 of which were disabled or with special needs. Two representatives of EUFOR, Military Assistant to COM EUFOR, Colonel Matthias Ivancsits, and Command Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer 1 Mario Stuhlpfarrer, ensured that Santa made it to the event safely and helped to present gifts. The event was also attended by the Parliamentary Military Commissioner of BiH, Boško Šiljegović.
The children were greeted by a marching band and cheerleading display before being presented with gifts by Santa Clause. The event was organised by the Company Sergeant Major of the 4th Infantry Brigade AFBiH, Sergeant Major Krunoslav Zelebuja. The soldiers of the Brigade collected money for presents, which were handed out along with gifts from EUFOR.
