Flying Santa
flying santa name given tradition date christmas package gift dropped plane lighthouse keeper family along new england coast organization brainchild william h wincapaw floatplane pilot friendship maine well known transporting passenger cargo along maine coast frequently took air less ideal condition provide transport sick injured islander action responsible saving many life many flight mean navigation lighthouse beacon maintained keeper along coast great deal admiration men family felt something special done show much effort appreciated december loaded plane dozen package containing newspaper magazine coffee candy item small luxury could make living isolated island little bearable flew light around rockland area dropped modest gift lighthouse family well received christmas gift expanded program cover light station coast guard station throughout new england wincapaw initially consider santa claus title bestowed upon resident station visited soon joined route son bill jr author edward rowe snow snow participated program forty year retirement flying santa flight continued uninterrupted apart one year world war ii since helicopter used instead plane retired uscg chief warrant officer thomas guthlein retired senior chief david considine two people suit flying santa role today nonprofit friend flying santa established continue flight primarily way expressing gratitude work performed coast guard christmas event celebration category christmas tradition category united state lighthouse service united state lighthouse board lighthouse united state history flying santa