Whether it’s soldiers helping soldiers, or everyday civilians showing their spirit, this holiday season on Fort Drum is a little different.

He's a jolly old man you've seen before, but never like this — as a mechanic.

“I tell the soldiers we can do [everything from] oil changes to engine replacement in here,” said the man known as Santa Claus on base.

“If I can help any of these soldiers out that do everything for us in this world, I will do it. This is what we do. All my guys are proud to do what we do here."

The other 300 or so days of the year, the kindhearted mechanic goes by Mike Graveline. He's the manager of the Auto Skills Center on Fort Drum.

This year, Santa is making a special trip to Fort Drum — a little bit early — to say hello to some kids and help light the post's Christmas tree.

And as the kids got to look at the tree in all of its wonder, Santa had one more surprise: a chance to tell him what they want for Christmas and even get an early gift.

"The negativity is always going to be there. But we got to put more positive in some of these kids,” Santa said of the military children on hand.