Serving in the armed forces is a thankless job. The soldier may be gone from home for months at a time, with no regular means of connection with those he leaves behind.
Dave Woodruff, a U.S. Marine, was no stranger to this lifestyle. For him, two years apart from his family was perhaps the limit of what he could handle. As soon as he could, he was looking forward to spending time with his family in Deville, New Jersey. Furthermore, he wished for it to be a moment they would always remember.
His eight-month mission in Spain would be over sooner than expected, so Woodruff came up with a novel method to celebrate his return home. He contemplated the ways he might surprise and delight his parents. A tasty treat prepared by him and his buddies served as a consolation for his parents’ sense of loss while he was abroad.
Christ the King Congregation, a nearby church, was an important part of his parents’ religious upbringing. One day, just as his parents were getting ready to leave for the day, the pastor made unexpected news.
The preacher said, “We have a little surprise before I dismiss everyone.”
The preacher then showed a video of Woodruff speaking to his parents. After returning, he decided to take advantage of the chance to wish his father a happy birthday early.
In order to emphasize how much he missed his father’s prior birthday celebrations, the marine wrote that he had been away for two years. To make up for the missed time, he put together a modest gift to surprise his parents.
His mother was unable to hold back her tears. In the midst of her tears of delight, she pulled out her spectacles to dry them. Finally, she was relieved to know that her kid was safe and back at home.
It was a touching occasion for his parents and other members of the church who knew Woodruff well… The surprise didn’t stop there, though. Turn around; Woodruff said onscreen one more time. ‘One more thing…
Woodruff stood at the doorway, patiently awaiting the completion of the film. His parents received a warm grin from him. Their kid, who had been gone for what seemed like an eternity, was welcomed by his parents, who gave him the warmest hug possible.
Small get-togethers between soldiers and their loved ones are eagerly anticipated by everyone involved. In light of their difficulties and uncertainties, these times mean a lot to them. In order to preserve the memories of these reunions, troops would capture them on camera.
