SUMTER COUNTY, S.C. (WACH) — On Friday, The American Red Cross’s Services to the Armed Forces, and United Airlines partnered to reunite a soldier and his family for a surprise holiday homecoming.
Sergeant Jamar Rowden is a U.S. Marine based at Camp Mujuk in South Korea.
Throughout his six years of service, Rowden has been overseas for three of them, and hasn’t been with his family since early 2022.
Seeing his family through a phone screen has been part of his routine, until Friday.
I get facetime messages at any hour, of the morning or night because our time zones change I feel like so much, and if I don’t pick up, or if he doesn’t pick up, they get a rude text message and then, you call back and hope that they’re still connected so we could see him
said his mom, Lindsey.
To bring another Marine home, just makes me smile, you know I’ve done the deployments, I’ve been apart of the deployments and I know how it feels when you’re not with your family for the holiday season
said Red Cross South Carolina’s Services to the Armed Forces Regional Director, Denisse Teasdell.
The big reveal for Sergant Rowden happened at High Hills Elementary School where his mom, Lindsey and sister, Hannah Breedan work.
Rowden’s dad, Staff Sergeant Edward Breeden was also following close behind.
The moment of realization for Jamar’s family, adding to the excitement around the holidays
“This was not on my list of things happening today, “said his mother.
“I saw her run over and I was like oh he’s here and I saw the flags and I was just like, wow they’re really patriotic about a library,” said his sister in shock.
With Jamar’s father’s retirement after 22 years of service next month, and his parent’s anniversary on Friday, the surprise adds another reason for celebration.
With no time to waste, Jamar’s mom says she’s ready to have him back in the kitchen for the holidays.
“Jamar likes to cook, so I really want him cooking at home,” she said.
“Cooking, that’s news to me. I do enjoy cooking, but I didn’t plan on cooking when I got back, but I guess I will,” said Jamar with a smile.
