Christmas In Berlin Fifty Years Ago.

Christmas  of 1962 was one of my most memorable, I was in the Army's  First Infantry Division {Big Red One}. A battle group consisting of 2,500 of us had been sent to Berlin, Germany to reinforce the Berlin Brigade after the Soviet's erected their infamous wall.
About a week before Christmas one of my buddy's and I were dressing up getting ready to hit the town on a three day pass when the first sergeant ordered us to come to his office ASAP. After we were dressed I told my pal, "well there goes our three day pass". Partly disappointed and partly angry we met with the first sergeant, He gave each of us $100.00, and the name and address of an orphanage where we would be given two orphans to take Christmas shopping.
Upon seeing these two children our previous disappointment and anger turned to pleasure at the prospect of making these kids happy at this time of the year.
I was teamed up with a 12 year old boy, my buddy was assigned an 11 year old little girl. We took the kids shopping for clothes, school equipment and toys, then we agreed to take a break for an early dinner. When I asked my kid what he wanted he said "cigarette and a beer please", my buddy and I broke down into tear producing laughter. On the waiter's suggestion we had a meal of assorted lunch meats, cheese and bread served family style. We had a great joyous two hours eating and talking.
 The kids were grateful for the gifts and fun afternoon even though little Erick didn't get his cigarette and beer. That night as I lay in my bunk I felt great and to say that our experience was pleasurable is an understatement