Santa, soldiers bring joy to beleaguered Alaska village

This Dec. 3, 2019, photo shows a man driving a four-wheeler down a street in Napakiak, Alaska. The Alaska National Guard brought its Operation Santa Claus to the western Alaska community, which is being severely eroded by the nearby Kuskokwim River. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

This Dec. 3, 2019, photo shows Krysta Lexie Kau’aq, left, Michelle Nelson, middle and Jessilyn Oscar, right, admire the gifts they got from Santa Claus during his visit to Napakiak, Alaska. The Alaska National Guard brought its Operation Santa Claus to the western Alaska community, which is being severely eroded by the nearby Kuskokwim River. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

This Dec. 3, 2019, photo shows 6-month-old Rebecca Ilmar having her photo taken with Santa Claus in Napakiak, Alaska. The Alaska National Guard brought its Operation Santa Claus to the western Alaska community, which is being severely eroded by the nearby Kuskokwim River. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

This Dec. 3, 2019 photo shows Santa Claus arriving in Napakiak, Alaska, on an Alaska National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. The Guard brought its Operation Santa Claus to the western Alaska community, which is being severely eroded by the nearby Kuskokwim River. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

NAPAKIAK, Alaska — A school employee wearing a traditional pink Alaska Native smock called a kuspuk breezed through the hubbub in the cafeteria adorned with murals of purely Alaska scenes, zigzagging through children clutching presents and past uniformed soldiers wearing Santa caps.

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