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Saturday, December 23, 2017

Saving Christmas (Again)

Last year I wrote a post about how I saved Christmas when Santa's sleigh harness broke and he crashed into the ocean.  History repeats itself, at least around me, as I got another chance to save Christmas.

I've been enjoying my volunteering at the USO at the Columbia, SC airport near where our home base is.  Always something to do to help out our transiting military folks as they pass through the airport to and from assignments.  It's been really nice to see many families reunited in time for the holidays.

This USO has three wonderful full time ladies that run the place (along with about 150 volunteers), they put their heart and soul into making sure everything possible can be done to support the troops.  During the course of the year they put on special events for the military members and their families and at Christmas time they do several amazing parties and concerts for those stationed at nearby Fort Jackson.

Last night I got a chance to volunteer at a family Christmas party at the Fort with an Army brigade that had had a tough year, tragically losing several members to a training accident.  The Christmas party was a way to have the families gather and have a special fun time to put the sadness behind them.

Santa Claus was enlisted to visit the children at the party.  He arrived on a fire truck.


The kids were delighted to see him and rushed out to greet him.





Inside the building Santa sat in a chair and handed out gifts to the kids as they sat with him.


A few kids weren't quite sure what to make of this jolly, old fellow in the red suit.


Other kids thought it was a blast to meet Santa and tell him their wish list.


Two of the USO ladies even had to get their picture taken with Santa, Katie on the left and Anne Elise on the right.


Once all the children had met Santa and received their gifts, I too wanted to get my picture with Santa as he sat by himself.


Here is my picture with Santa:


Yep, that's "Santa Paul".  I never played Santa before and it was a last minute call as the original volunteer who was going to play Santa got sick and couldn't come.  So I was able to step in and "save" Christmas.

The USO ladies, Katie and Anne Elise said I did such a great job that they have plans to use me again for another occasion.  Something about being shot out of a cannon wearing a ballerina costume...

Here's to wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year wherever your travels have taken you!


Image result for picture of santa kneeling at the manger


14 comments:

  1. Congratulations on standing in for Santa, think you did a good job. I did that years ago and had a blast.
    Now you in a ballerina costume I think would be even more fun (scary though) lol...Merry Christmas!

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  2. Glad you were able to save the day once again. seems like the other Santa and I shared the same bug.
    When our Family was growing up we had a Ceramic Santa visiting the Nativity to show the Importance of the day to our children.
    Be Safe and Merry Christmas to you, Marty and the rest of your Family

    It's about time.

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  3. Way to go Semper Gumby...you are just the most flexible guy around!! Looks like you had as much fun as the little kids;o)) Thanks for spreading the Christmas Spirit!!!

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  4. Absolutely fantastic!! I can't imagine anyone who would make a better Santa. You absolutely did save Christmas. It can't happen without Santa! Not sure about the ballerina costume though. But I want to see it. Merry Christmas to you and Marti!

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  5. Way to save the day, Santa!!! You rock!!!!
    Merry Christmas!!!!

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  6. I think that was peachy keen you were able to step into the breech and save the day. Good stuff:))

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  7. Way to go big guy. Hope those reindeer are ready for tonight and that you rested up from your gig.

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  8. What fun for you and for everyone you got to share your Christmas spirit with. Here's wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

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  9. Merry Christmas to you and Marti! How nice of you to call on your inner Santa :)

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  10. Way to go Paul! Wishing you and Marti and the kids and grands the best of the holiday season.

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  11. A great start to being Santa! Not so sure about being shot out of a canon. But if it happens I want to see the pictures:)

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  12. How fun! It looks like Santa had a hard night. By the last picture, your suit is a little less than perfect.

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  13. We miss our Sandy Hook coast guard star

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