After being apart from his family for over three years, a member of the United States Marine Corps just got back together with them.
On Friday, December 20, Sergeant Jamar Rowden, who is stationed at Camp Mujuk in South Korea, surprised his family in South Carolina. This was made possible by the American Red Cross and United Airlines, who collaborated in order to bring him home. PEOPLE has the first look at the touching event, which can be seen here.
High Hills Elementary School in Sumter was the location of the reunion. His mother, Lindsey Breeden, is employed there as a fifth-grade teacher, and his sister, Hannah Breeden, is employed there as a school custodian while she is studying college.
Jamar had no idea that the day he came home was a day that had especially special meaning for him: it was the day that his parents celebrated their twentieth wedding anniversary. “This was the most unexpected thing that could have happened,” remarked his father, Staff Sergeant Edward Breeden.
The fact that the Red Cross and United Airlines came together to assist in making the reunion a reality was something that Jamar expressed his “extreme gratitude” for.
“Of course, I’m thrilled,” he responded. “This has been a long time coming,” the speaker said.
“These are things you see happen on TV that you don’t expect are going to happen to you,” said his mother, Lindsey Breedman. You don’t expect these things to happen to you.
A month before Jamar’s father is scheduled to retire from the Army after 22 years of service, the joyous reunion took place, which added an additional layer of significance to the situation.
In spite of the fact that Jamar would not be able to make it to his father’s retirement ceremony, he expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to visit his father before he retires. His father, on the other hand, expressed his happiness as well.
According to what Edward shared with the Red Cross, “This is about the best Christmas present that we can give our family over the course of this time of year.” “It is always a little bit difficult to not have the family together. Consequently, the fact that this is the first occasion in a very long time that we will really have everyone together is quite remarkable.
Jamar has not seen his sister since she graduated from high school, thus this visit was also the first time they had seen one other. Where does his younger sibling stand? Jamar claims that the last time they saw one other in person, he “was in middle school.” This is according to our information.
The explanation that Jamar provided was, “It’s difficult, you get used to FaceTiming and texting a lot.” Although it is more difficult in the beginning, you will eventually get used to it as time goes on.
“I’ve missed him a lot,” Hannah, his sister, said in addition.
