It’s not easy to serve the country and be able to maintain a life outside of work. There are so many things that you miss while you’re away from home. Just like you need to be courageous enough to serve the country, you need to be equally brave to go away from your loved ones for a period of time — you don’t know when you’ll be back.
Now, to have to leave your three young children and husband at home while you serve the country is a heart-wrenching decision for a mother to make. Julie’s baby boy was only four and a half months old when she had to leave her family to be deployed as an airman stationed at the Creech Airforce Base in Afghanistan.
She’s missed Halloweens, Thanksgivings, Christmases, birthdays and now Valentine’s Day while she’s been away, leaving everyday life up to her husband to look after. He keeps everything running at home while she’s gone, saying, “It takes a lot of time and commitment with all of the uncertainty of not knowing when or if I’ll be coming home.”
Her toddler even told her once, “Mommy get in your car and come home from work!” … but it’s just not that simple. Julie says, “I have a job to do. You gotta do your work. We make a difference. And it’s such a matter of pride for me to serve my country and I thought you guys could help me.” And that’s why Julie reached out to the FOX5 Las Vegas Surprise Squad to help make her wish come true!
They put together a fabulous surprise that shocked the family when they went out to the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay, one afternoon. No one expected what would happen next, especially when a scuba diver in the shark tank swam up to the window holding a sign saying, “Surprise Jason and kids. Please look behind you.” And this is where it gets emotional! EVERYONE was crying, camera crew and reporter included!
Before jumping into the footage, I’d like to commend FOX5 for doing such an incredible job at reuniting families and making these things happen. I know for a fact that their efforts go a long way — they’re always appreciated!
Click below to watch the FOX5 plan come together perfectly. This is Valentine’s Day done right, and one that the entire family can remember for years to come.
