0:43
\"I thought the photo was beautiful--it just reminded me of my dad,\" Platt told \"GMA.\" \"My dad just gives respect to a lot of people and in turn gets that same respect. It has been so nice to see somebody honoring him like Santa had done.\"
Smiley fought in Germany in 1945. He is a father of 10 and is a proud grandfather to 26 grandchildren and several great grandchildren. His wife Jane Smiley, died in 2015.
Smiley told \"GMA\" that the encounter with Santa was one to remember.
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/GMA/veteran-santa-3-ht-er-181211_hpEmbed_7x15_384.jpg\")
\"He is almost a real Santa Claus,\" Smiley said. \"He's a very nice man. I was thrilled. I was sitting there and he bent down his knee. His father was in WWII the same as me and also, his father was in the Korean War and has since passed away.\"
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/GMA/veteran-santa-4-ht-er-181211_hpEmbed_3x2_384.jpg\")
The Santa in the photo preferred he be referred to as ‘\"Concord Mall Santa\" to preserve the magic, he said. Santa told \"GMA\" that the Christmas season is about \"sharing gratitude.\"
\"I am especially thankful for veterans like Robert Smiley, who are our true heroes,\" he said.
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/GMA/santa-veteran-2-ht-er-181211_hpEmbed_4x3_384.jpg\")
Wilbur said she and her stepson will be visiting with Smiley next week.
Smiley said he is looking forward to Christmas dinner with his eldest daughter and grandchildren.
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