In a parade filled with so many heroes, one soldier stood above the rest at the Brandon parade.
"I'm Bm2 Mellinton, the 2nd class petty officer at the United States Navy," Soldier Luke Mellinton said, "I've been gone for a year. When I found out I was coming home close to the Fourth, I thought what better way to surprise my kids than the parade we come to every year."
It started with an idea— thousands of miles away.
"I just spent the last year with coastal riverine squadron 10 over, near the Horn of Africa," Mellinton said.
An idea he hopes can make up for lost time.
"My daughter started sea cadets. I've been missing working on her with that. My boys one graduated kindergarten."
For all the milestones, he's missed at home, he's found purpose in serving his country.
"I miss them growing up. I've been gone for two deployments in the past 3 years, so I missed them growing up a lot," he added, Ido it for the families, families that want to enjoy freedom. I do it for my family and everybody else's family."
Which makes this moment event even more meaningful.
"I'm excited to be home and spend some time with them for a while!"
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