ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. — Wallace Spencer is a 94-years-old decorated World War II veteran.
"We went out to sea for roughly a year and a half and we didn't miss any battle all the way up.
We went to every island and every battle."
MR. CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: For the past 30 years the Spencer Family has brought all the holiday cheer to St. Simons Island.
— Dani Bozzini (@DaniANjax) November 30, 2019
But this year, the family has added a little something special to commemorate the man behind it all.
This story tonight on @ActionNewsJax at 10 & 11 pic.twitter.com/w1LSo1qryu
But many on St. Simons Island know him as "Mr. Christmas Lights," because he decided to get in the Christmas spirit nearly 30 years ago.
"We moved into this area and there wasn't one light, not a green or a red or anything."
Spencer says he couldn't allow it.
"I happened to put up one strand of lights. My wife says ‘You're a nut, why're you doing that? Nobody is doing it here.'"
TRENDING STORIES:
Exclusive: 'I felt like my body was taken over': Alleged victim of Navy aircraft mechanic speaks
What started out as just a couple strands turned into a winter wonderland for thousands to enjoy.
"It's grown out of control," explains his daughter, Judy Spencer.
"Every year we added more and more and more and this year is one of the special ones," Spencer said.
Spencer used to set it up by himself, but the past few years, it's been hard for him to get around. So this time, his family stepped up.
"I'm very happy with it. And I can say I put up one light."
The Christmas light show has become one of his greatest joys, seeing all the families come back year after year.
That's why his family is asking people to leave him cards and letters in a special mailbox.
"Every year, he's out here and this year, he's having a really hard time walking and so he won't be out here to greet them and so they can leave him a thank you."
It's a way to appreciate all the Christmas joy he's brought to a neighborhood for so many years.
"I'm a happy fella with all the neighbors and everybody, it's such a pleasure."
Thanksgiving night was opening night for the Christmas display.
His family tells Action News Jax they have to get a bigger mailbox to make room for all the letters they've already received.
STAY UPDATED: Download the Action News Jax app for live updates on breaking stories
Cox Media Group
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/N7YMXJTJYJEFBCXSUI6KPLO7OM.png)
:quality(70)/d1hfln2sfez66z.cloudfront.net/04-18-2024/t_bdd967977214473783a9212ab4b3c5d4_name_file_960x540_1200_v3_1_.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/SKFDOR2IYNE4NDKFR6PGKELN3E.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LQISX3ZIKJFBDP2XR2FCCAZ2OU.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/5DQX77Y4KRDTPJFHATNPCPNWNQ.jpg)