Flight To The North Pole

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Published: December 18, 2009

A group of metro children took a special ride to visit a very special person in the north pole.

Mississippi's 172nd Airlift Wing transported 60 Operation Angel Tree children to a simulated north pole where they met Santa and received gifts. The program is in its third year and is sponsored by Mississippi's National Guard, The Salvation Army, and Y101. Due to increased demand, organizers added ten children to the program this year.

Pilots carried the children and their parents down a runaway and into a large hanger. They used a C-17 Globemaster III, which normally flies med evacuation missions from Iraq to Germany. Once the hanger doors were closed, they opened their cargo bay, which was full of children.

4-year-old Gabriel Shoulders ran through the hanger to show us her gifts. She got a scooter.

"As they get off that plane, you see that spark in their eyes, and they see the elves and they see Santa Claus," said General William L. Freeman. "They truly believe they're at the north pole."

Every child gets a bike, a helmet, presents, and time with the big man in red, who's been working on his list.

"We're separating it the good from the naughty," said Santa Claus. "I want them to be the best they can be, and when Christmas is over, this special feeling, carry it all year."

6-year-old Takiah Morris is on the good list. "It was fun....I like to see Santa," she said.

And so do all of these children, who will likely never forget this night.