TheFW » Soldier Homecomings

Watch a Military Family's Touching Surprise Reunion at a Hockey Game

Drew Weisholtz — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:42:12 +0000

No matter how many times we see footage of a soldier surprising his family it doesn’t get old. This past weekend, Army Sergeant 1st Class Philip Gallardo showed up to surprise his children when the Cincinnati Cyclones hosted the Evansville Icemen in a minor league hockey game. Gallardo’s kids, 11-year-old Phillip and 12-year-old Karisma, were [...]

10 Heartwarming Holiday Soldier Homecomings

Cameron Simcik — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 22:01:01 +0000

The Christmas season is the happiest time of year. We get to spend extra time with our family and friends, and there are endless supplies of cookies. While these few weeks are filled with tons of cheer, it's also the sappiest time of year, especially in the good ol' USA. It's the ideal time for overseas military men to surprise their loved ones, and of course, create tearjerker alert YouTube videos of it all.

10 Returning Soldiers Reuniting With Their Dogs

Cameron Simcik — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 19:55:17 +0000

Veteran’s Day is one of the greatest American holiday, because we get to celebrate those who have and are still serving our country. It’s one of the greatest sacrifices; these men and women are leaving their loved ones to risk their lives for us. For that, we give them a sincere thank you.Of course being [...]

Military Dad Surprises Family In Front of 85,000 at College Football Game

Jeremy Taylor — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 16:17:49 +0000

When Tammy Faile and her two children were chosen as the military family of the game for South Carolina's match up Saturday against the University of Georgia, they probably expected some sort of message from their husband and father Sgt. First Class Scott Faile, who is stationed in South Korea.

And that's what they got at halftime, a video message on the University of South Carolina’s Williams-Brice stadium's Jumbotron.

Tearjerker Alert! Dog and Returning Soldier Reunite

Cameron Simcik — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 19:02:21 +0000

We’re suckers for heartwarming dog stories. Last week, we brought you the German shepherd who’s been guarding his owner’s grave for six years. Luckily for us, yet another sappy puppy story has surfaced, this time courtesy of Jasmine the St. Bernard. Jasmine’s owner recently served an entire year in Iraq, and the sweet pooch consistently [...]

Beagle Welcoming Soldier Home Will Break Your Heart

Mithun Divakaran — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 14:02:15 +0000

As if dog videos weren't cute enough, here's a double dose of "awww" as this is also a soldier homecoming video. We last showed you how a German Shepherd reacted upon seeing his owner back home from duty, but wait till you see how this beagle freaks out.

10 Moving Soldier Homecomings for Memorial Day

Kathy Landin — Wed, 23 May 2012 20:23:59 +0000

The service men and women of our country make huge sacrifices to fight battles on our behalf and keep the freedoms we hold dear. One of those sacrifices is being away from their families and loved ones for long periods of time. The only thing that makes this sacrifice bearable for most is the incredible sweetness of coming home, even if it is only for a short leave.

Six-Year-Old With Cerebral Palsy Surprises Homecoming Marine Dad by Walking

Jeremy Taylor — Sat, 12 May 2012 17:20:35 +0000

The other day we posted a homecoming video in which a soldier surprises his two young children, who were throwing out the first pitch at an Arizona Diamondbacks game, by being the mystery catcher. We said it was the best homecoming video we've seen in some time.

Well, consider it topped.

Soldier Dad Gives Kids a Huge Surprise After First Pitch at Diamondbacks Game

Jeremy Taylor — Thu, 10 May 2012 15:58:14 +0000

Six-year-old Jackson Aguirre and his five-year-old sister Alanna were pretty thrilled to have been chosen to throw out the first pitch at a recent Arizona Diamondbacks game. Which isn't surprising, as that honor is usually reserved for luminaries, not a couple kids in elementary school.

Right before their big moment the stadium's JumboTron displayed a video message from their dad, a soldier stationed in Afghanistan.

Dog Fetches Ball, Returns With It to Find Soldier Master Back Home

Mithun Divakaran — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:00:05 +0000

While most soldier homecoming videos we have featured in the past involve our brave men returning home to their wives, parents and children, here's a video to prove that dogs are just as much a part of the family as anyone else.

Little Boy Gets the Surprise of His Life From Returning Soldier Brother

Mithun Divakaran — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:30:08 +0000

Brotherly love can’t come any sweeter than this. Here’s a homecoming soldier who surprises his little brother at his school. Little Will is in shock seeing his older brother Jay in the room, but it’s what Will says as he runs up to his hero that made us go “awwwwww”. Will telling Jay he missed [...]

Soldier Dad and Daughter Have Heartwarming Reunion in Front of Packed Auditorium

Mithun Divakaran — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 13:59:06 +0000

No matter how old they get, some daughters will always be “daddy’s little girl.” Here’s a soldier homecoming video that proves that point, with lots of tears. Upon returning from Afghanistan, this military dad was greeted by his young son and wife at the airport. But the family decided to surprise their 18-year-old daughter, a [...]

Returning Soldier Surprises Son Dressed as Captain America From 'The Avengers'

Mithun Divakaran — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:00:54 +0000

Kids love and look up to Captain America from 'The Avengers,' so it was a shock for this one boy to see his favorite superhero show up on his doorstep. Though the bigger shock came when he realized that this real-life strong man was actually his army dad returning from Afghanistan.

Returning Soldier Has Heartwarming Reunion With 6-Year Old Daughter on Her Birthday

Jeremy Taylor — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 21:33:05 +0000

Six-year old Baylee was celebrating her birthday with her kindergarten class by sharing a poster of her favorite things. Among them were chocolate and her father, Sgt. Adam Page, who has been serving in Afghanistan for as long as Baylee has been alive. Just when Baylee mentioned her beloved dad, her teacher told her to turn around because there was a surprise.

Returning Soldier Gives Wife a Heartwarming Surprise at Chick-fil-A

Alex Staub — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:25:43 +0000

Some of the most heartwarming videos on the internet are of soldiers returning home from war surprising their family members in a creative way. The military wife in this clip got more than she bargained for when her husband delivered her meal to the table at a Chick-fil-a restaurant.

Returning Soldier Surprises Family at KFC [VIDEO]

Jeremy Taylor — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:33:10 +0000

We've all seen the heartwarming videos of soldiers stationed overseas surprising their children stateside with early returns home.

And that's how this video of Capt. Cherissa Jackson, who had been deployed in Afghanistan, begins, with mom surprising her daughters Anita and Ashley at a Gaitherburg, Maryland Kentucky Fried Chicken. But then it gets even more touching.

'Santa' Grants Little Girl's Christmas Wish By Bringing Her Father Back From Iraq [VIDEO]

Danny Gallagher — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 21:38:31 +0000

Christmas may have come and gone but there is still magic to marvel at from this joyous holiday, like the magic that granted the wish of a little girl who only wanted her soldier father back for the holidays. Bethany Arnold’s class got a visit from Santa Claus this past holiday. He brought toys and [...]

Soldier Mom Pops Out of Christmas Present to Surprise Family [VIDEO]

Donald Deane — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:08:26 +0000

On Monday, Sgt. Jamee Gains, an Oklahoma National Guard soldier returning from Afghanistan, gave her family the best early Christmas present possible: herself. Gains has spent the last six months deployed overseas and surprised her husband and three kids by jumping out of a giant Christmas present that had been delivered to their front door. [...]

Soldier Dad Surprises Daughter at School in Touching Reunion [VIDEO]

Donald Deane — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:38:15 +0000

As a little girl named Alexis makes a presentation to her class, her military dad, who’s fresh home from Afghanistan, makes a surprise appearance. (Sniff! Sorry, this kind of thing always gets us.) We’ve seen plenty of soldier homecomings before, but none of them even come close to this tearjerker. Watch the touching reunion below and [...]

Returning Soldier Surprises Sons By Wrapping Himself Up as Birthday Present [VIDEO]

Donald Deane — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:28:58 +0000

A soldier dad from Kentucky gave his two sons a birthday surprise last week that they'll likely never forget.

Capt. Nate Burgess, who had just returned home after serving in Afghanistan for the past year, decided to surprise his two sons on their birthday.

So, he wrapped himself up as a life-sized G.I. Joe birthday present and gave himself as a gift.

Dogs Welcome Home Soldiers In Heartwarming Montage [VIDEO]

Donald Deane — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:54:00 +0000

Is there anything more adorable than a dog greeting its owner? How about a dog greeting its owner after they return home from military deployment? We dare you to watch this supercut of lovable pooches welcoming their owners home from military service and not get choked up.

Returning Soldier Gives Fiance Joyful Surprise During Football Game [VIDEO]

Donald Deane — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:09:42 +0000

Staci Lowe got the surprise of her life at a Kansas City Chiefs game on Sunday when fiancé William Bell, an Army staff sergeant who wasn’t expected home from Iraq until later in the week, ran onto the field during halftime. As Lowe and her children watched a special video message from Bell, he jogged [...]

Army Dad Surprises Daughter at Spelling Bee After Returning From Iraq [VIDEO]

Donald Deane — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 14:51:13 +0000

Get ready for your heart to melt! This Army dad surprised his nine-year-old daughter at a spelling bee in Boca Raton, FL after a 10-month tour of duty that separated him from his family, ‘Today‘ reports. Skylar Johnson was asked to spell the word “sergeant” during an elementary school spelling competition. And once she did [...]

Returning Soldier Surprises Young Son at School [VIDEO]

Shauna Wright — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 19:09:16 +0000

We admit it. These things make us misty.

Army Specialist Matthew Peters of Owensville, Missouri spent a year deployed in Kuwait and Iraq, and hadn't seen his young son, Blake, in more than six months. When he came home, he decided to pop in on the unsuspecting tyke at school for a hug the kid will probably never forget.

Returning Soldier Surprises His Mom at Work [VIDEO]

Chip Sandalwood — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 15:48:59 +0000

Soldiers know the value of surprise, especially when returning home from active duty to their loved ones.

When Joey found out he was getting sent home from Kuwait two weeks earlier than anticipated, he spent the three months prior planning to surprise his mom at the UPS sorting facility in Lansing, MI where she works.

Aww! Huge Great Dane Gives His Military Master a Slobbery Welcome Home [VIDEO]

Jeremy Taylor — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 16:44:12 +0000

We've seen some pretty heartwarming homecoming scenes involving military personnel and their family over the years. Humans don't have a monopoly on ecstatic welcomes, though -- when this massive great dane named Emmitt Thunderpaws sees his master return home from deployment, he gives him a touching, slobbery embrace for the ages.

Returning Soldier Surprises His Family at Baseball Game in Tear-Jerker Video

Chip Sandalwood — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 16:38:35 +0000

When four-year-old twin sisters Gracie and Ruby Weichman showed up at the ballpark on Monday night to watch their hometown Spokane Indians take on the visiting Yakima Bears, they had no idea that their father, Air Force Sargeant Chris Weichman, was planning a surprise homecoming during the game. The girls had been selected by the [...]