Gina Wilbur was doing some Christmas shopping at the Concord Mall in Wilmington, Delaware when she noticed Santa Claus walking around. She decided to snap a photo of Santa for her stepson, but she had no idea that she was actually going to catch him doing a powerful good deed.

Gina got tears in her eyes when she saw Santa do something incredibly beautiful for a 93 year-old World War II veteran.

Santa was running his Christmas shop at the mall when he noticed war veteran Bob Smiley, and he did not hesitate to run over to the elderly man and drop to his knees.

“I hear Santa telling the gentleman, in a soft voice, of others he knew who served,” Gina recounted. “He shakes his hand with genuine gratefulness, thanking him for his service and returns to the children. Best moment of my day.”

The photo of the powerful moment immediately went viral, touching the hearts of people all over the globe.

Santa later gave an interview in which he explained exactly why he did this.

“We owe a debt of gratitude to men like this, that have made such a life-changing decision to give of themselves, be willing to lay down their life even, for other people,” he said.

Bob risked his life as he served in General George S. Patton’s infamous WWII campaigns, but he has a humble attitude about the newfound attention he’s receiving. He pointed out that over 16 million men and women served in the military during World War II, and he does not see serving as a choice that he made.

“In my generation it was duty,” he said. “We all went, we all served. Every boy in my high school graduating class all served.”

We would like to thank Bob for his service, and to wish him and all veterans a very merry Christmas!