Letters from the North Pole Published Nov. 4, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Rachelle Coleman 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- For the last 51 years, elves have been hard at work answering letters from around the world as part of the Santa's Mailbag program. An ongoing tradition since 1957, it began with the 57th Reconnaissance Squadron at Eielson AFB, Alaska. Now, the 354th Operation Support Squadron's Weather Flight continues to touch the lives of children with a preprinted letter from Santa Clause. The return envelope also bears the traditional North Pole, Alaska official U.S. postmark cancellation stamp. But not only do the children get a letter from Santa, the elves get to enjoy reading and "forwarding" letters from Santa themselves. "We have been receiving and answering letters for more than 50 years, it is a tradition we enjoy being a part of," said Santa Mailbag coordinator Staff Sgt. Matthew Bohlman, 354th Operations Support Squadron Weather Flight. Depending on the amount of letters the Weather Flight receives, the weather technicians get together every four days to read and write responses to the children. They use different Christmas-themed letter templates that were designed by the weather flight's members. The majority of letters received are children asking Santa Claus for different gifts for Christmas, ranging from the latest electronic gadgets to the more traditional toys such as dolls and bicycles. The elves at the Weather Flight, led by Tech. Sgt. Tia Derr, 354th Operations Support Squadron, and coordinated by Sergeant Matthew Bohlman, say the best part about Santa's Mailbag, "is gathering together and sharing with each other the letters sent in by the children." "Children put their hearts into these letters addressed to Santa, so it's truly a privilege for us to be reading each and every one of these letters," Sergeant Derr added. There are other types of letters children write that don't request gifts, but other things such as the return of a lost one from a deployment, recovery from illness, or kids wanting their parents to get back together. Sergeant Bolhman said those letters are few and far between, but are understandably the hardest letters to read. "In the past, children have asked for the latest and greatest toy, from iPods to a Playstation 3. One year, a child asked Santa to make his parents stop fighting. Another time, I recall a boy asked for a baby sister," said Sergeant Derr. The children also send in very colorful Christmas artwork. The Weather Flight displays the most precious and prized of these letters and drawings in their work center's hallway display cabinet. Passers-by are sometimes mesmerized when they stop to read these cherished letters, which are displayed all year round. Children's letters to Santa can be sent to: Santa's Mailbag 2827 Flightline Avenue Suite 100B Eielson AFB, AK 99702 In order to receive a letter from Santa before Christmas, please send letters on or about Dec. 1. In order to defray the cost of postage and expedite our response, please enclose a stamped, self addressed envelope for each child's letter.