When 45 soldiers returned to Utah from their most recent tour in the middle east their family and friends were waiting for them. But one reunion stood out from all the rest.
The cruelty of the moment was that the soldiers had to stand in formation just 100 feet away from the waiting arms of their families for a few minutes. But when they broke formation - the reunions began. Dozens of soldiers were re-united, but one moment stuck out compared to all the others.
As a father ran toward his family his son ran toward him - the pre-teen boy in a "welcome home yellow shirt" then put his arms around his father's neck with such passion, emotion and love it was hard not to cry right along with him. (see picture) His eyes were closed, then they opened and saw our camera, but he hugged on. He closed his eyes and kept holding on for dear life. (You can see tha moment in the television version of this story here on abc4.com - entitled Soldiers come home to Utah).
The moment made me think about my father. I thought about how much I love him, how much I respect him and how fortunate I am to call him "my dad." I wouldn't dare hug him "that hard" - I mean, he's 70 years old now. But I feel that way. The little boy's moment with his father took me back, caused a few tears and made me think - That is what real love looks like.
