(Left to right; Carol Donaghy, Tyler Monroe and Harold Donaghy)
By Dave Fredrick
WMIC/Sanilac Broadcasting
News Director
(SANDUSKY) – I honestly believe, there is no better feeling, no better moment, than when a member of the United States Military comes home for Christmas – and most of his family has no clue!
News stories are filled with happy reunions as soldiers walk into children’s classrooms or a soldier is disguised at a special event and then surprises everyone. This week, the surprise came at a bowling alley and a restaurant.
Tyler Monroe of Sandusky, after much planning and a few white-lies, walked in to the dining room of Liberty Lanes where many of his family had gathered for what they thought was some breaking news. Well, it was alright, just not what they thought!
A Sandusky high school graduate, Tyler joined the U.S. Army, completing boot camp earlier this year and after a short break, returned to training to specialize in special operations. He is due to graduate from further training in January and once he learned he had earned leave time, there was little doubt what he was going to do.
The story of Tyler’s is one of many heard around the country, when people say it takes a village to raise a person. Family members have influenced Tyler along the way, perhaps none more so than his Grandma Carol and Grandpa Harold Donaghy who have helped shape Tyler into an outstanding young man who knows the values of life and the importance of family.
Tuesday night, December 19th, with his great aunt Jody Woltman (our Executive Sales Director at Sanilac Broadcasting) at his side, Tyler made his grand entrance to the family Christmas party.
Prior to the dramatic entrance and as Tyler waited in the lounge area of the bowling area, family members were “told a story” of why they were all gathered. Jody and her husband Tim made up the story they were moving out of state – but, they really weren’t.
Dressed in his full fatigues and walking quietly towards the party, Tyler made the turn to head to the tables and suddenly, screams of shock and awe filled the air as his family saw him, some for the first time in many weeks.
Family stood to their feet and started applauding him as he made a bee-line to his mom, Tonya and his grandpa and grandma Donaghy who were left nearly speechless and in tears. Tears of joy and happiness this Christmas season. Undoubtedly, this was a Christmas season to remember, and the best gift they could have imagined.
Tyler is home for the holidays, for a few fast days and will return to Oklahoma for further training, after the first of the year. In the meantime, it’s all about family time and making it a special Christmas.
