Here's a holiday story about a man from Montana coming to Fort Lewis as Santa to spread some holiday joy.

EXCERPT: For the past 35 years, the Malta man has spent his Decembers decked out in a Santa suit, granting Christmas wishes to kids young and old.

But this year, Degel decided to forgo the bigger paycheck provided by malls in California, Texas and Illinois - to name a few offers - to instead visit schools and soldiers at Fort Lewis, Wash.

"I think I'm going to enjoy it a lot more," Degel said.