Kids Discover Military Dad's Backpack For Surprise Reunion

A group of siblings suddenly burst into happy tears when they realized a military duffel bag sitting outside their home could mean only one thing - their dad was home for good following a year-long deployment. Luke Stombaugh, 35, from Twin Cities, Minnesota, had been based in Iraq for the previous 373 days, his third assignment to the Middle East. But ahead of his return home, Luke decided not to tell his three children – Noah, 10, Ashlyn, 9, and Lucinda, 5 – and worked with their mother, Amanda, 35, to arrange a big surprise. Having landed on October 26, Luke, a member of the Army National Guard for more than 17 years, had Amanda pick him up from the airport, before placing his military-issued duffel bag outside the front door of the family's home. As the three kids headed outside, Noah, followed by his younger sisters, approached the bag to inspect it. Looking at the tags and a padlock, Noah at one point declared, "It's not Dad," only for Luke to then appear a few yards away on the family's driveway. The three kids all screamed "DAD!" in shock, before running over to their father and crying happy tears in his arms. Amanda, herself crying behind her cellphone, captured the wholesome moment on video.
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Location: Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, USA
  • Date Acquired12-01-2020
  • Date Filmed10-26-2020
  • OrientationVertical
  • Footage TypeCell Phone
  • Rights TV & Digital, Commercial, Publishing

Kids Discover Military Dad's Backpack For Surprise Reunion

Order

Military Boyfriend Surprised With New Apartment When Returning From Deployment

Military Daughter Surprises Healthcare Worker Mom

Toddler Surprises Military Dad By Taking First Steps To Him

Grandparents Well Up When They Meet Grandson For First Time After Eight Weeks in NICU

Mom Surprised After 3 Years By U.S. Army Son At Wedding

Emotional Dad Surprised By Sister He Has Not Seen In 25 Years

Sister Surprises Brothers For First Hug Since Mom's Passing

Grandma Surprised by Sister On Birthday After 15 Years Apart

Dad Can't Believe His Eyes As Daughter He Hasn't Seen In 18 Months Walks Through Door

Soldier Receives 100-Car Parade After Quarantine Following Deployment

Emotional Veteran Surprised With Mobility Scooter

Girl Hears Military Dads Voice Approaching After 7 Months

Military Son Is Last Lost Item During Teacher Mom's Lost And Found Day

Soldier Surprises Wife At Work At Dentist After 11 Month Deployment

Flash Mob Singer Surprised As Reunited With Mom After Two Years

Military Dad Surprises Daughter at Graduation

Grandma Who Beat Cancer Surprises Grandkids After Two Years

Man Surprised By Grandma He Hasn't Seen In 4 Years

Man Surprised By Battle Buddy After More Than 10 Years

Man Surprised By Biological Grandpa He's Never Met On Birthday

Man Who Lives Overseas Surprises Little Brother Back In Jamaica

Military Husband Poses As Patient To Surprise Wife On Return Home

Bullmastiff Smothers US Soldier With Kisses On Return Home

Deaf And Blind Dog Instantly Recognizes Returning Grandpa

Dog Reunites With Military Owner In Time For Holidays

Dog Reunited With Doctor Owner Who Has Been Working On Front Lines

Veteran Who Suffered Accident And Woke Up In Pandemic Reunites With Dog

Best Friend Dogs Reunited After Months Apart

Dog Sniffs Stranger And Finds It's Owner After 10 Months Apart