Click here to visit the new home of AOLTV!

Hot on HuffPost TV:

See More Stories
EDITION: U.S.
CA Canada US United States UK United Kingdom
Powered by i.TV
May 27, 2012
TV's Best Video Clips - Updated Daily

Young National Guardsman Reunites With His Mother on 'Surprise Homecoming' (VIDEO)

by Nick Zaino, posted Aug 23rd 2011 1:15PM

Vicki and her son SPC Jesse Caldwell on 'Surprise Homecoming'Vicki thought she was merely a guest at a military-sponsored event saluting her company, Shangri-La, where she works as a secretary. The company helps the disabled and disadvantaged with living, working, and special needs. Vicki also has a son in the National Guard, which is probably why she got excited when she saw Billy Ray Cyrus, host of 'Surprise Homecoming' (Mondays, 10PM on TLC).

Her son, 20-year-old National Guard Specialist Jesse Caldwell, on the other hand, knew what was about to happen, and was getting anxious. "I'm just getting more excited and more excited," he said. "To be honest, it just seems like it's just taking forever for it to get here." There was a formation of Guardsman standing several yards from Vicki, and Cyrus invited her to give the command to "open ranks."

With Vicki's command, the troops stepped aside, revealing SPC Caldwell kneeling on the ground behind them. He stepped up and went to his mother, and they shared a tearful embrace. "This is the most amazing thing I think I could ever ask for," he said. "It was great."


Link Squad

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum

18 Comments

Filter by:
sylvia fuller

I AM VERY PROUD TO SEE 1 OF OUR YOUNG MEN COME HOME SAFE AND SOUND, WHERE'S THE REST OF THEM? RETURN THEM ALL IN THE SAME CONDITION AND I'LL SHUT UP.....................................

August 25 2011 at 7:09 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
bmitche

Quite a reunion. I hope he was as excited as she was.

August 24 2011 at 1:12 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
superbombastik

To be fair, I am sure the US Army loves to do create these events to help sell how "family" oriented they are. Which is really ironic to someone that has been told by his Lieutenant that the Army comes before either his family or his God.

August 24 2011 at 1:07 PM Report abuse -2 rate up rate down Reply
CDB Bowers-Hogg

OMG These homecoming clips never fail to fill my heart. God Bless our Troops. Thank you for your service today and those before you. Thank you for our freedom. Lets not forget how precious it is and how quickly things can change in this crazy world. Homeland security is all of our responsibilities as Americans. Kudos to those folks, such as Billy Ray, who make it possible for us to share the beautiful homecomings of our protectors of freedom.

August 24 2011 at 1:06 PM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
ronaldhonolulu

What about the "huge surprise " most people don't know about?!

August 24 2011 at 1:02 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to ronaldhonolulu's comment
Tutu

Just what would that be?

August 24 2011 at 1:26 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
superbombastik

It's nice that family can come home safe and sound, but it's even better when you can spread these stories all out individually and show them for months and months to help sell what a "great guy" Obama is; and why he is the "hero" for getting us out of Iraq; and why we should all be happy to vote for him; right up to the election coming next year. "War is bad; Bush made war; Bush was bad; Bush was Republican; Republicans love war; Republicans are bad; vote against War / Bush / Republicans; vote Obama and they can all come home (even though they volunteered to serve). Disgusting use of our military and families that have served us faithfully. Why not just get them all home at one time and be done with it instead of dragging these loving people through all this hype ? This was one more day that a mother had to suffer the fear and sadness of her son's possible future. Wouldn't it be much better to know that your son was alive and well, and on his way home already; and to meet him when he got off the airplane/bus? As a veteran and a father I'd say very much so.

August 24 2011 at 1:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to superbombastik's comment
queenlibertine1

For the love of all that's holy, does EVERYTHING have to be a damned political argument? Can't you just watch the video and enjoy the touching reunion without attaching blame to some figurehead and forwarding your political agenda? Jesus, man, get a life.

August 24 2011 at 7:49 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
catherine

I love watching our troop come home, but I remember the home coming that the boys os my generation recieved when they got home.they were spit on, had rotten vegtables thrown at them . What is sad VietNam was as unpopular as this one, so what's the difference. The first one we were supposedly fighting the "commies" but why are we in Afghanastan? is it to free them or is it to protect the oil fields?

August 24 2011 at 12:59 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
cattlebaron269

I wish they were here in Idaho.

I'd have them over for one heck of a welcome home barbeque.

August 24 2011 at 12:59 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
erik60505

why can i not watch videos on aol? i can watch one second and then have to wait 4 then watch 1 then wait 4..... all other sites never do that. just have annoying ads.

August 24 2011 at 12:28 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
Debra

Awesome home coming story for this mom and her son. I pray for the day when they ALL come HOME.

August 24 2011 at 12:19 PM Report abuse +3 rate up rate down Reply

Follow Us

From Our Partners