Soto Cano Air Base is located in the aldea of Palmerola, about twenty minutes from La Paz. It is the only US military installation in Central America. This year the military staff hosted several hundred children from the surrounding area to share holiday cheer and camaraderie. Santa arrived in his helicopter and the children ate hot dogs, way too much candy, and played games and mingled with the base personnel. Towards evening the kids returned home full of food and exhausted, each with a gift in hand.