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'This Is My Christmas Present'
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Published: December 26, 2008
The best Christmas gift for the Santana family wasn't under a tree, it was at Tampa International Airport: The return of Ernest Jose Santana - known as Ernie - away from his family for 20 months, including 15 in Iraq.
Tears flowed, miniature flags waved; those who couldn't make it to the airport caught Ernie on his cell phone.
As Ernie came off the terminal shuttle, Mom waved her welcome home sign and cheered before getting a bearhug from her boy.
Then it was Dad's turn, a retired Army recruiter, who welled up with tears before embracing his only son.
No unwrapping was necessary.
"This is my Christmas present."
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