Christmas

Santa Delivers Local Marine to Family

A local family received the gift of a lifetime Christmas Eve when one of our nation’s heroes returned home.

Sergeant First Class Richard Maxie of Gibbstown, Gloucester County, is a Marine who left the Corps to join the NJ Army National Guard. He had been deployed in Qatar since June 18 and wasn’t scheduled to return to his family until May. But that changed after he received several letters from his 10-year-old daughter Alexa. .

“My daughter kept writing me, ‘I wish you were here for Christmas,’” Richard said. “When I got that letter I cried.”

Inspired by his daughter, Richard sought help from a battalion commander who granted him seven-day leave, allowing him to go home for the holidays. He then reached out to the Gibbstown Fire Department who helped put his plan into motion.

The Local Veteran’s Affairs reached out to Alexa and her mother Candell, telling them they wanted to come and deliver Christmas gifts.

Santa Claus and a fire truck then arrived at their home Wednesday. NBC10 was there as Saint Nick first gave Candell a few wrapped presents. Candell quickly burst into tears however when the greatest gift of all stepped off the fire truck and walked towards her. It was her husband Richard.

“Never in a million years did I expect him to come off the fire engine,” she said. “I’m still in shock! Santa doesn’t need to come tonight. We have our gift right now.”

Alexa still had one final wish from Santa however as her father held her in her arms.

“A phone,” Alexa said.

“An iPhone five?” Richard asked.

“Six,” Alexa replied.

Alexa said she wanted the phone so she could FaceTime her dad during his remaining five months overseas.

Richard returns to Qatar on Monday. 

 

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