Posted on 09/30/2010 8:23:58 AM PDT by pillut48
FRANKLIN —Yesterday was Family Day at Dean College. This meant the first home game of the football season, and for defensive lineman Aaron Byrd, another event his mom would miss.
Byrd's mother, Air Force Master Sergeant Carla Murphy, was supposed to be finishing her tour in Afghanistan. That is, until she stepped to the 50-yard line before Byrd's game to perform the National Anthem.
"I'm happy, I'm happy," Byrd said between tears as he and his mother hugged after her performance. "I didn't expect it. Then when I saw her, I didn't know what to think."
Murphy, of Fredericksburg, Va., had returned from Afghanistan early. Her 19-year-old son didn't know she was back until her voice echoed over the field, igniting a wave of applause - and tears - from the audience.
The two had not seen each other since Mother's Day, when Murphy was deployed for her second tour of Afghanistan. She missed his high school graduation and first day at college.
(Excerpt) Read more at metrowestdailynews.com ...
I’d be crying like a baby too.
Too bad there’s no video; awesome story. Thanks.
I saw this too..It is nice to get a good story for a change..
Oops, found the video. Sorry.
Thank you, Ma’am for being brave and serving your country...God Bless You....
Well it’s a nice story but when I was 18 I think I could stand 5 months away from my mom. Glad she’s home safe though.
Wonderful vid! Thanks for this...
God bless all our troops and their families...
May our country realize and be thankful for their service...
Very nice story. Thank you for posting.
Excellent
Some how while reading the story I figured it was only newsworthy if it was a non-white story. Then the photos confirmed it.
I think it’s more having her home safely from a war zone than not being able to manage without her.
Wonderful people—thanks for posting.
A couple of years back, while I was attending one of my Daughter’s high school marching band competitions, a rival high school had just finished their routine and were about to leave the field.
As they were beginning to march off the playing field, the announcer called out for the team to remain where they were for a few moments just as a big limo entered from the other end of the field. A wounded soldier on crutches stepped out of the car, and started walking in the direction of the band. A huge shout went up from some family members in the grandstand and a band member broke out of the group on the field and ran hell-bent for leather towards his Dad while the entire stadium jumped up and cheered them both on. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the entire stadium.
I was very proud of my community that day, and couldn’t help but think that we HAD learned from our experience in Vietnam and this time we would support the military no matter where they were sent to.
NCDragon
SFC,US Army - Retired
Okay, that’s got me sobbing in gratitude for our military too! :*)
Good folks are good folks, and a good story is a good story, regardless of color.
Was your mom on a battlefield, possibly fighting for her life?
Well it’s a nice story but when I was 18 I think I could stand 5 months away from my mom. Glad she’s home safe though.
It’s not too late to find out. You or your mom can enlist. Whicthever has more testosterone.
Wow....just don’t get it do you. You know how many parents have said goodbye to their kids and got the Patriot Guard escort home from the airport on their return? My best friend from here in Baghdad was honored that way recently on his return home to Georgia.
Lots of kids saw there parents go to work and not make it home due to a traffic accident or whatever and don’t cry every time the do come in the door. It was cool she sang the national anthem but tears all around? Maybe it’s because she’s a woman and ius treated differently than all the guys coming home? Son can be proud and relieved but the really outstanding part her her singing and sneaking in on him.
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