Confessions of an Air National Guard Santa

[RNajarian]

Confessions of an Air National Guard Santa

As you know this is Santa’s busy season with Christmas just around the corner. Naturally, with his hectic schedule he is unable to fulfill all the requests for appearances throughout the world. That is where I come in. For the past 11 years, I have been privileged to fill in for the Big Guy at the Biannual 146th Airlift Wing’s Holiday Party.

I joined the 146th Airlift Wing on November 5, 1995 and immediately noticed a remarkable comradery from my fellow guardsmen and women. Moreso than you would expect from a military organization. Truly a real family atmosphere, on more than one occasion members of my guard family have literally given me the shirt off their back. That is why filling in for Santa this time of year means so much to me.

Delayed one year because of the worldwide pandemic, this year the “Hollywood Guard” held their biannual Holiday Celebration on December 5, 2021. Past and present members of the 146th Airlift Wing, their family and friends gathered in one of our aircraft hangers for fellowship and to celebrate the season. There were games, face painting, static displays, and other activities for the kids. Riding a scooter around the hanger was the Grinch, who remarkably looked a LOT like Command Chief Master Sergeant Rick Onsgard. Stopping only to take photographs and adjust his green tights, the Grinch was certainly a highlight of the afternoon.

Not surprisingly, the star attraction was the man in a red suit seated in the cargo bay of a C-130J. Members and their families patiently stood in line for over one hour to have the opportunity for a visit and photos with Santa. For over four and a half hours, Santa and Elves from the 146th visited with children young and old. OK, I’ll be honest, it became emotional at times, fortunately, no one could see the tears from underneath my costume. Parents would bring new born children, barely able to hold their head up for that seasonal photo op. You can’t help but get emotional holding a priceless 4 month old child dressed in red and green as the proud parents beamed with pride, watching her first photo with Santa.

The amazement and awe on a child’s face as they slowly approach Santa is something to be experienced. Some children require the encouragement of their parents to engage Santa, while others come running at full speed. Situational awareness can be very helpful in facilitating the encounter. Noticing little things, like the child’s name, as the family enters the C-130 can make the visit more memorable.

“Ethan, Oh my GOODNESS! Is that really YOU! My have you grown this year? Is this your new baby sister? She is so precious. Are you being a good older brother? I can’t believe how big you have gotten! Come over here and tell me what you would like this year?”

Most requests are typical, remote-control cars, iPads, skateboards, Nintendo Consoles, etc. Often parents will stand behind the child and give you a thumbs up or down as the child goes down their wish list to make sure Santa doesn’t promise anything he can’t deliver.

“A Nintendo Switch?” Parent gives the thumb down sign, “Well, the global chip shortage is making it difficult for the elves to make them, I will try but I can’t promise that this year.”

“A skateboard?” Parent gives the thumb up sign. “I’ve got an elf, Jingle, he is my master skateboard maker. I will tell him to make you a . . . “ parent points to blue scarf “. . . blue skateboard.”

Occasionally you get that request that even the real Santa would have difficulty fulfilling. “My grandfather is sick, please make him well, I don’t want anything, just Poppy.”

Your heart breaks. Nothing is worse than seeing pain in an innocent child. What do you say? What SHOULD you say? At this point Santa is fighting back tears again. How I wish I could fulfill that wish, but it is well above my pay grade.

“I am sorry, I didn’t know Poppy was sick. Mrs. Claus and I are going to send him all of our best wishes. He is strong, lets help him get better.” The words of encouragement from Santa seem to help, hopefully I said the right thing.

Many kids come prepared with letters for Santa. The ones who provide a return address will get a letter back from Santa, addressed to their parents, post marked Glendale CA, wishing the child a safe and enjoyable holiday.

One year Santa arrived at the hanger in his red sleigh, a red 1975 Porsche 911 Targa with license plates that said “146 AW.” The Grinch (AKA CMSGT Onsgard) was seen trying to steal the car, fortunately, Security Forces were able to foil the attempt and the Grinch speed away on his scooter.

Mingling among the party goers you will find our Wing Commander, Colonel Nemeth, and our Command Chief Master Sergeant Robles, greeting and welcoming everyone to party, mindful, that at any time Grinch Onsgard may be photobombing them.

To the right of Santa’s C-130 is the best band the US Air Force has to offer, the Air National Guard Band of the West Coast, playing holiday favorites. Very few Wings have bands attached to them and I’ve always enjoyed our band. We are so grateful to have them available to play at our events.

If I left anyone out of the description of the 146th Holiday Party I apologize. There are many activities going on at once but since I spend the entire time in the back of the C-130 I miss a lot of the fun. Our First Sergeants organize a Christmas Tree competition. Each unit donates and decorates a tree which is later donated to families in the community. The Medical Group participates in face painting and various support organizations are available to help provide information and service to members of the “Hollywood Guard.”

At every 146th Airlift Wing Holiday Party I receive the biggest and best present of all. The privilege to be a part of the Holiday Celebrations for every member of the Wing. There were over 300 Holiday photos taken in the back of Santa’s C-130J and guess who was in every photo? I received hundreds of hugs from children young and old (don’t worry, Santa had the vaccine and booster.) Hopefully my participation added to the success of the party.

To be a part of the 146th AW is to be a part of something more meaningful and special than most can imagine. In Latin the expression is “Frater in Armis,” literally translated to “Brothers in Arms.” More than camaraderie, fraternity, or symbolic brothers, the 146th has been my family for over 27 years and will be long after I retire.

Hopefully, If I am good, Santa will let me fill in for him at the next Wing Holiday Party.

Stay Safe and Enjoy the Season.

Thanks for The Memories.

December 2021


December 2021: 0630 Greeting Members at the Main Gate


December 2021: The Air National Guard Band of the West Coast



December 2018: Opposites Attract



December 2018: Santa’s View of the Holiday Party



December 2016



December 2016: Santa’s 3.0 liter Red Sleigh



December 2016



December 2010: It’s a Tough Job, But Someone’s Gotta Do It!



December 2010

[fastfredracing]

Bravo. Great post, thank you for all you do

[NutmegCarrera]

This is really cool!!!

Thank you for your service.

[E38Driver]

Awesome.

Dave

[Seahawk]

Remarkable post.

Thank you, Sir, and your fellow 146th members: Special.

[fanaudical]

You, sir, certainly have the Christmas spirit. What a wonderful event in this wacky time.

[asphaltgambler]

Beautiful

[GH85Carrera]

One of our local PCA regional members was Santa Clause. He had the real beard, and a high quality Santa Suit and he played Santa at a local mall. One year he came to our club breakfast in full regalia and two of the members had brought their kids. It was really cool to see their reactions to Santa walking into the restaurant, and walk up to the table, and call the two boys by name. He asked what they wanted for Christmas, and said he would be back to their house on Christmas night. He did not stay long, and had to stop and say hello to all the other kids in the restaurant.

He just really loved Christmas. Sadly he died several years ago. I miss my buddy Walt K.

Reading the first post made me realize it was really dusty in my office for some reason.

[RNajarian]

Thanks guys for the kind words, I hope this post did not come across as self promoting. I am looking at my end days in uniform and am doing a lot of self reflection on the whole experience.

It will be hard leaving such an incredible organization, the people are amazing. More than half our medical group spent 2020-2021 on the front line dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

I am so proud to be a part of such a world class organization.

Here are a few more photos.

[Scott Douglas]

Fantastic post!
Great job and thank you for your service!

[masraum]

[shadowjack1]

I teared up just reading this post.
From a Jarhead to and airman, Merry Christmas.

[pwd72s]

Fantastic! Many thanks for posting this...a tip of my hat to all in the air guard.

[RNajarian]

Merry Christmas Friends

[HobieMarty]

Super Awesome!!! The kids that you meet will remember this for the rest of their lives!!!
Thank you for your service!!!

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[RNajarian]

Here is a photo from this year. It is amazing how even an adult will “light up” when Santa shows up.

[pwd72s]

Very well done!

[masraum]

God bless you, sir!

And again, very, VERY well done!

[Eric 951]

Good on ya! exemplifies the true "meaning of Christmas" and I hope you have a Merry one!

[cjh]

Thank you for your service to your Air Wing and the country.