Navy Rescue Swimmer Surprises Family by Returning Home as Santa Claus for 'Special Christmas'

Mar. 15, 2025

Footage from the reunionshows Sean parading around as Santa and giving out gifts before revealing his identity.

Sean then ripped off the hat and beard he walked over to his stunned father for a big hug and told 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” before the awesome surprise.

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

Mary Wearn, Sean’s aunt, said she originally believed Sean wasn’t going to make it to the family’s Christmas festivities.

Joe’s wife Bonnie died earlier this year, so his sister said Sean’s surprise visit “meant the world” to his father.

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

source: people.com