Inside Richard Brookins’ Pittsford home are constant reminders of his life as a World War II soldier.

He’s known as the “American St. Nicolas,” and the story of how he got that name is remarkable.

It all starts 72 years ago, in a town called Wiltz, Luxembourg. He was a G.I. in the Army and the town had just been liberated from Germany.

“Happy to be liberated, but they were very unhappy because St. Nicolas Day was coming and they had nothing for their children,” Brookins said. “And they hadn’t had for four and a half years.”

St. Nicholas Day was similar to Christmas – kids were given candy and treats. The Army unit stationed there decided to bring the holiday back. The G.I.’s donated the candy and gum they were given in care packages. To complete the celebration, Brookins was asked to dress up as St. Nicolas.

There was a parade, and children in the town put on shows.

“The kids’ eyes were as big as saucers, and it was something magnificent,” Brookins said.



Just ten days after that celebration, the Battle of the Bulge happened. The town was 80 percent destroyed.

Brookins’ unit was sent back to France. Shortly after, he returned home to Rochester and started his family.

Then, in 1977, he got a letter from Luxembourg and learned the tradition he and his unit started was still going on.

“That’s when I found out that they had been doing this every year since 1949, when the town had been put back together again,” said Brookins.

And each year, someone was appointed to play a very special role.

“They appointed a person from town to be the American St. Nick every year,” Brookins said.

He went back to reprise his role that year, and has visited a few other times since.

He has told his story hundreds of times, and later this week is being honored with Luxembourg’s highest military honor.

Brookins doesn’t like all the attention, but he does it to honor his fellow G.I.’s. At 94 years old, he is the only one from the group left.

“I felt that I am honoring the guys that were in the army with me that took part in this thing, and I’m proud of that,” said Brookins. “And unfortunately – fortunately for me – I’m the only one left. And it just happened to be St. Nicolas.”

A Luxembourg legend and an American hero, living right in our hometown.

The Military Medal of Luxembourg is that country’s highest military honor. Other recipients include Winston Churchill and Dwight Eisenhower.

