Navy Swimmer Surprises Family by Returning Home as Santa Claus

A Navy rescue swimmer shocked his household by returning residence for the vacations in type — Santa Claus’ type, that’s!

Sean McCartin, who’s on lively obligation, joined his household’s social gathering in Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 24, absolutely wearing a Santa Claus outfit and lengthy, scraggly white beard, in response to NBC affiliate WXIA-TV.

Footage from the reunion reveals Sean parading round as Santa and giving out items earlier than revealing his identification.

“I think there is one more thing you’re missing, sir, on your Christmas! It’s your son,” he mentioned to a person, recognized by WXIA-TV as his father Joe.

Sean then ripped off the hat and beard he walked over to his shocked father for an enormous hug and instructed him “I love you, dad. Merry Christmas!”

“He didn’t realize it was me. I could tell,” Sean recalled of his father, who claimed he had “a tough day” earlier than the superior shock.

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“Boy, you’ve capped it off real well,” Joe mentioned within the video.

Mary Wearn, Sean’s aunt, mentioned she initially believed Sean wasn’t going to make it to the household’s Christmas festivities.

“I had invited Sean for Christmas, but he told me he couldn’t make it,” she instructed ABC affiliate WSB-TV. “Then he contacted his cousin and said he was going to surprise the family on Christmas Eve.”

Joe’s spouse Bonnie died earlier this 12 months, so his sister mentioned Sean’s shock go to “meant the world” to his father.

“I thought it was kind of important with it being the first Christmas without Mom to come home,” Sean instructed WXIA-TV.

He later added, “This is a special Christmas, and I’m so glad to be here with everyone.”