BOISE -- The drawdown of American troops in Iraq brought one young girl's mom home months earlier than planned. 7-year-old Emily didn't know her mom was coming home, and her soldier mom didn't know her daughter would be at the airport to greet her.
A double surprise
"I thought I was picking up my cousin, Janie," Emily said. "And then I saw my mom walking up!"
Army Private First Class Jessica LaRose said she thought Emily would be surprised later. She'd helped plan out a different scenario where Emily would go help bring groceries in, and LaRose would be outside. But LaRose's' best friend Rylee Schweizer had a different plan: surprise LaRose too.
"I saw (Emily) right as soon as I got to the first set of the glass doors," LaRose said. "I could see her standing in front of Rylee. I wished that I could run faster."
"Jessica's done an amazing thing and Emily's really resilient," Schweizer said. "And I'm just thankful we could be a part of it."
Or is it a triple surprise?
LaRose was surprised by another thing too: the number of people greeting her. The Blue Star Mothers and the Patriot Guard Riders brought flags, banners and plenty of thanks.
"As soon as I saw them, I don't know what I was more nervous about: seeing Emily for the first time or seeing all those veterans," LaRose said. "Because I look up to them. Every time you see them on the street or in public, you know who they are, and you know to respect them, and give them respect when you see them, so it was nice to get that in return."
Patriot Guard Riders Ride Captain Lyle Frost said the group does a lot of homecomings, but welcoming servicemen and women never gets old.
"It's a great feeling, and we really, really, really are honored to do it," Frost said.
'I really missed my mom'
LaRose said they'll spend time here in Idaho for the Thanksgiving holiday, then they'll be going home to Fort Hood.
"It was fun," Schweizer said. "It was great to kind of sneak it up, but I'm just so thankful they're back together primarily is my main focus. Just knowing that Jessica is in one piece and that Emily can hold onto her tight."
Emily will be going back to her school and friends there in Texas.
"I really missed my mom when she was in Iraq and I love her a lot," Emily said.
... And the welcome groups got a surprise too
The Patriot Guard Riders and Blue Star Mothers found out another servicemember was coming home at the same time. So they welcomed Naval Petty Officer First Class Jeremy Hood at the airport too. He's been in Japan for the last three years and was, you guessed it, surprised to get a big welcome home.
"Very surprising," Hood said. "Brings tears to your eyes."
The Patriot Guard Riders said one night they unexpectedly and gladly ended up doing nine welcome homes at the airport.
