Navy Officer Surprises Family And Fiancee After 14 Months

A Petty Officer with the U.S. Navy Reserve pulled off a double reunion surprise – shocking his fiancée and dad at a car dealership before arriving at his brother's track to sneak up on his mom. Austyn Scruggs, 23, told no-one he was set to return home from his 14-month deployment, which had seen him sent for a boots-on-the-ground mission in Djibouti, Africa. When Austyn got the news he was set to head home, he kept things secret, spending a week in Germany before heading back, not telling his family he was on the move. Such secrecy took some intense planning and dedication, Austyn admitted, as he had to set up his room in Germany to look exactly like the one in Africa in case his family asked to be on a FaceTime call. On May 4, having returned to Anderson, South Carolina, he first snuck up on his dad William and fiancée Audrey, who were looking around a car dealership before Austyn made his entrance. He revealed it was only the second time he had seen his dad, an Air Force veteran, cry. Following that tearful embrace, it was then over to the nearby track meet at Pendleton High School, where Austyn's brother, Dustyn, was competing, and his mom, Marci, was watching from the bleachers. With Audrey's mom recording, Austyn crept through the rows of seats before giving his shocked mom a big hug, causing a round of applause from those in the crowd. Austyn then waved down to a stunned Dustyn, who went on to break a regional record that day.
**ADDITIONAL B-ROLL AVAILABLE ON REQUEST**
Release Status:
TV & Digital
Advertising
Location: Anderson, South Carolina, USA
  • Date Acquired05-19-2022
  • Date Filmed05-04-2022
  • OrientationVertical
  • Footage TypeCell Phone
  • Rights TV & Digital, Commercial, Publishing

Navy Officer Surprises Family And Fiancee After 14 Months

Order

Military Reunion At Relay Race Finish Line

Navy Brother Surprises Sibling During Football Huddle

Navy Brother Makes Sister's Jaw Drop When He Returns Home

Teen Sprints Through School Hall When Surprised By Military Cousin

Sister Returns From Navy To Surprise Best Friend Sibling At School

Girl Almost Knocks Solider Sister Over After 10 Month Deployment

Girl Waits To Hug Big Brother Every Day School Bus Arrives

Runners Cheer On Boy With Special Needs To Win Race

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

Military Dad Surprises Daughter After Fake Lost Connection On Zoom Call

Toddler Hugs Military Dad For First Time In Eight Months After Deployment

Military Twin Fights Back Tears When He Holds Niece For First Time

Veteran Grandpa Battling Illness Insists On Standing To Welcome Navy Grandson Home

Veteran Has Pure Reaction To Military Son Surprise Reunion

Girl Sprints From School Play When Surprised by Military Mom

Kids Run Through Class When Military Dad Returns Home After Months Away

Military Mom Surprises Daughter At School Lunch Table After First Deployment Apart

Soldier Disguised As School Mascot Reunites With Daughter

Soldier Dad Surprises Daughters At School After Deployment

Daughter Loses Shoe Running Towards Military Dad After Deployment

Girl Surprised During Show And Tell By Military Dad

Navy Officer Surprises Kids With Help From Santa

Toddler Runs For First Time To Reunite With Military Dad

Navy Brother Surprises Sister Ahead Of Quinceanera After 1.5 Year Deployment

Sister Sobs Happy Tears In Restaurant When Military Brother Surprises Her

Mother And Daughter Reunited After 52 Years Apart

Football Player Spots Military Dad After Return From Deployment

Soldier Dad Stuns Graduating Daughter When He Returns From Deployment

Woman Reunites With Childhood Best Friend After 15 Year Search