THIS IS COOL

American and German families are making extra room at their tables for some special guests this Christmas.

The Heidelberg military community is one of several communities where American families will host German Bundeswehr soldiers this holiday. Many of the soldiers guard gates at area installations and housing areas.

Jerrika Weston and her husband, Staff Sgt. Brent Weston, will open their doors this year to two German soldiers.

“They’re away from home already,” Weston said. “When you’re in the military, you’re never going to have [all of] your family. My thing is — family is wherever you go. The least we could do is just make them feel welcome.”

On the other side of the coin, German families associated with the Bamberg German American Men’s Club will share Christmas with U.S. soldiers.