Santa helps local sailor return home

ORANGE PARK, Fla. -- A sailor returned home from a six-month deployment Wednesday with a little help from Santa Claus.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Richard Corrales flew into Jacksonville Naval Air Station and went straight to the Orange Park Mall, where he climbed into a gift box.

His children, 5-year-old Xavier and 2-year-old Amarie, thought they were going to the mall to take pictures with Santa and give him their Christmas list.

"I have one big gift for both of you in this box," Santa told them.

Corrales then busted out of the box, and received big hugs from his kids.

"I don't usually get to be home for the holidays so this is amazing," he told Action News. "I've traveled so much, so this holiday we're going to spend it at home."

"It was the best gift we could give our kids," said his wife Priscilla with tears in her eyes. "It's wonderful to all be together as a family."

This was Corrales' third deployment. He will now be stationed at home for at least the next three years.