Send us a text! We love hearing from listeners. If you'd like a response, please include your email.

This week Dianne and Jennie are getting into the holiday spirit with the heartwarming story of Colonel Harry Shoup, the Air Force officer who answered a mistaken phone call from a little girl looking for Santa. His kindness sparked a tradition that's tracked Santa for 70 years! Ever wondered how NORAD got involved? Tune in to hear the Ordinary Extraordinary, magical Christmas tale!

Episode available on YouTube:   https://youtu.be/7014a4Stt_0?si=RS2OobqhaCPFBxvC

It may not be Christmas Eve yet, but read stories, play games and more, and of course, track Santa with NORAD on Christmas Eve at:https://www.noradsanta.org/en/

Resources used to research this episode include:                                                    DME Interns. "Harry Shoup: The Santa Colonel ." https://news.va.gov/. 24 Dec. 2021. news.va.gov/98635/harry-shoup-the-santa-colonel/. Accessed 7 Dec. 2025.

Young, Olivia. "Colorado woman recalls phone call that transformed father into NORAD's "Santa Colonel" ." https://www.cbsnews.com/. 24 Dec. 2024. www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/colorado-woman-recalls-phone-call-transformed-father-norads-santa-colonel/. Accessed 7 Dec. 2025.

Multiple Contributors . "NORAD Tracks Santa ." https://en.wikipedia.org/. 6 Nov. 2024. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NORAD_Tracks_Santa. Accessed 7 Dec. 2025.

The Gazette . "Harry Wesley Shoup ." https://obits.gazette.com/. 18 Mar. 2009. obits.gazette.com/us/obituaries/gazette/name/harry-shoup-obituary?id=23024681. Accessed 7 Dec. 2025.

Need an Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast tee, hoodie or mug? Find all our taphophile-fun much here: https://oecemetery.etsy.com