Man Surprised By Battle Buddy After More Than 10 Years

A U.S. veteran could not believe his eyes when he opened his front door to discover his battle buddy from Iraq, who had traveled across the country to surprise him on his birthday. Other than a brief one-hour crossover in 2010, Shawn Dodd and best friend Jesse Burr had not spent time with each other since they served in 2003. Back then, Shawn, 43, was a staff sergeant with the U.S. Army's 4th Infantry Division, 1-12 Infantry, when he met fellow staff sergeant Jesse, 49. Shawn and Jesse both lost their commander and close friend in action, and for the years that followed their service, they kept in touch to help one another with the loss. In 2019, Jesse sent Shawn a handmade wooden U.S. flag to celebrate his time in the military, which Shawn says is so special to him that it would be the first thing he would save in a house fire. It had always been Jesse's aim to travel from his Tehachapi, California home to surprise Shawn in Vancouver, Washington, and with the help of Shawn's son, Caleb, that visit became possible.
Release Status:
TV & Digital
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Location: Vancouver, Washington, USA
  • Date Acquired04-15-2022
  • Date Filmed05-01-2021
  • OrientationVertical
  • Footage TypeCell Phone
  • Rights TV & Digital, Commercial, Publishing

Man Surprised By Battle Buddy After More Than 10 Years

Order

Soldier Surprises Blindfolded Mom On Her Birthday

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

Military Dad Surprises Daughter With Birthday Homecoming

Soldier Surprises Wife At Work At Dentist After 11 Month Deployment

Dad Aged 70 Leaps Fence To Reunite With Military Son

Pretend Traffic Collision Turns Out To Be Surprise Birthday Reunion For Mom

Woman Is Oblivious To Long Lost Sister Standing Next To Her For Surprise Reunion

Toddler Surprises Military Dad By Taking First Steps To Him

Kids Open Car Trunk To Discover Military Dad Whose Returned From Deployment

Soldier Surprised By Battle Buddy After 12 Years Apart

Thrift Store Owner Mom Finds A Military Surprise

Wheelchair-Bound Mom Can't Contain Excitement When She's Surprised With New Mobility Van

Husband Surprised By Father He Thought He'd Seen For Last Time On 50th Birthday

Military Brother Interrupts Teacher Sister's Class In Surprise Reunion

Military Best Friend Hides In Trailer For Birthday Reunion

Son Reunites With Mom And Sisters After 20 Years

Military Dad Surprises Daughter After Fake Lost Connection On Zoom Call

Grandma Surprised by Sister On Birthday After 15 Years Apart

Military Husband Surprises Wife By Bursting From Sears Delivery Box

Military Dad Surprises Son At Senior Night Football Game

Soldier Surprises Grandma Who Raised Him With Great Granddaughter

Soldier Sister Returns Home From Deployment To Surprise Younger Brother From Behind Sign

Boy Dresses Up As Hero Dad For Tearful Reunion

Boy Brought To Tears When He's Surprised By Best Friend Who Moved States

Soldier Returns From Overseas To Surprise Radio DJ Fiancee

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

Kids Reunited With Military Dad After More Than 500 Days Apart

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

Shocked Mom Runs From Military Daughter During Surprise Reunion