--- title: "This Ranger-veteran Santa granted a dying child’s final wish" date: "2020-02-05" modified: "2020-10-30" authors: - name: "Logan Nye" job_title: "Senior Contributor, Army Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/logan-nye/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-trending/this-ranger-veteran-santa-granted-a-dying-childs-final-wish/" categories: - "Veterans" --- # This Ranger-veteran Santa granted a dying child’s final wish ![]() An Army Ranger veteran who plays Santa was called for an emergency visit to a dying child in Tennessee, arriving just in time to present the boy with a present and hold him as he passed away. --- Eric Schmitt-Matzen is a 60-year-old engineer and the president of Packing Seals Engineering, [according to Fox News](). He carefully cultivates Saint Nicholas's appearance and performs at approximately 80 events throughout each year. ![]() *Photo: Facebook/Eric Schmitt-Matzen* A nurse contacted him from a hospital near his home in Tennessee to ask that he rush over and comfort a dying child. According [to the BBC](), he was given a PAW Patrol toy by the child's mother. "She'd bought a toy from \[the TV show\] 'PAW Patrol' and wanted me to give it to him," he told the [Knoxville News Sentinel](). "I sized up the situation and told everyone, 'If you think you're going to lose it, please leave the room. If I see you crying, I'll break down and can't do my job.' " Schmitt-Matzen told the sick boy that he was Santa's "Number One Elf" and that no matter where the boy went next, that title would get him in. Schmitt-Matzen gave the boy the gift and the child asked, "Santa, can you help me?" "I wrapped my arms around him," Schmitt-Matzen said, [according to the Independent](). "Before I could say anything, he died right there. I let him stay, just kept hugging and holding on to him." ![]() *Photo: Facebook/Eric Schmitt-Matzen* The Ranger veteran left the hospital in tears that any soldier could easily understand. Rangers Lead The Way. *The first reference to this story that WATM has been able to find comes from [Sam Venable at the Knoxville News Sentinel](). You can learn more about Eric Schmitt-Matzen and his visits as Santa Claus there.* ## Author Logan was an Army journalist and paratrooper in the 82nd. Now, he's a freelance writer covering military history, culture, and technology. He has two upcoming podcasts and a Twitch channel focused on basic military literacy. ### Author social links [Twitter]() [Facebook]()