As tradition dictates, James will sit at the table with Angelo and Teresa, and after cutting a slice of pandoro, he will try a delightful Vicenza mustard. It's not a cinepanettone or a new Woody Allen film, but the Christmas supper of a family that has chosen to participate in the "Adopt a Soldier for Christmas" program. According to the Corriere del Veneto, this is a project launched recently by the Army Community Service office of the Usag Vicenza, aimed at making Christmas Day more peaceful for some US soldiers stationed in Vicenza barracks who are forced to spend the holidays away from their loved ones. If a similar effort was previously dedicated to American families, this year the opportunity was extended to Vicenza inhabitants, including both families with children and older people living alone. However, the military officials probably did not expect such a big adhesion: with just 50 soldiers available, the requests from families were significantly greater, so that a selection will now be required.
|