SHELL KNOB, Mo. -- It was a winter wonderland here one Sunday. For the 14th year, VFW Post 2203 created its Christmas for Veterans program. It invited residents of the Mount Vernon Veterans Home to come see more than 100 Christmas trees, tens of thousands of lights, trains and stuffed animals.
It takes volunteers at the post three weeks to create but they say it's well worth it to give the veterans a magical Christmas moment.
"Joy and awe, and they're appreciative of it," said Dave Atkinson, the commander of VFW Post 2203. "They can come in and get away from the world and escape to a wonderland."
Christmas for Veterans also included a dinner, gifts, bingo and a visit from Santa Claus.
