How The NORAD Santa Tracker Got Its Start
Okay guys and girls first for those who really know me they know that I am a compulsive obsessive person when it comes to the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. I am also in love with a good story as much as the next person. So last year when I stumbled upon this story about how NORAD started tracking Santa I had a good chuckle. Then to my surprise I was looking at pins on Pinterest tonight and behold the story of the Santa Tracker reappeared in my thread so I figured it was fate I had to share the story with the world.
The whole NORAD tracking Santa started because of a typo in the paper. Here is a picture of the ad that Sears Roebuck and Co. Posted over 60 years ago. They didn't realize it, but that phone number was not the line they had to speak to Santa, but to the Continental Air Defense Center (Now NORAD).
How would you have felt as someone who works at a military installation getting a call on the red phone hearing a tiny little voice asking if they could talk to Santa. However, our military men who were working that night proved they were even bigger hero's by just going with it. But what really warms my heart is that NORAD did not stop at a one time thing, This has become a tradition that has spanned the generations since 1955. It has become such a tradition that NORAD employees plus others volunteer their time on Christmas Eve to make children happy. But seriously looking at these pictures in the CNN ARTICLE I think the volunteers are just as excited as the kids.
I mean seriously when NORAD releases this statement you know they have the spirit of the Christmas Holiday!
"Our constellation of defense satellites "uses infrared tracking to keep pinpoint accuracy on the heat signature from Rudolph's nose," NORAD says in its promotional materials. "Ground based radar tracking sites relays, global positioning updates to our elite fighter pilots, who often escort Santa's sleigh through rough weather."
On Christmas Eve, I always run the Santa Tracker Application on my cell phone... And before you say anything, yes, I have it on my phone it goes live December first and then does a countdown till when Santa Takes off on December 24th, It however has a NORAD link and that is A+ in my book so the kids and we adults can learn about what's going on in our Military. Plus, don't judge me,
Or if you want, you can check out the physical website HERE. This website also goes live with Santa's take off countdown on December 1st as well.
As someone whose family has had a rough year with loss please remember what the holidays are really about. To some there are religious aspects, but the underlying theme has been that these holidays are about family and friends. Keep that door open to everyone who is in your heart and keep an extra plate at your table. May you be blessed beyond measure this holiday season.
Angie
P.S. Let me know what you think comment below!!
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