It’s difficult to imagine not being with your family during the holidays like the 4th of July. That’s typical for soldiers, but one Plainview army soldier had a different plan for his family. After 9 long months away from his family, Joe Jimenez is back home.
“There’s always light at the end of the tunnel. I know it’s hard. It’s so worth it. It really is. It’s going to be amazing having them back,” said Jessica Rios, Jimenez’s wife.
“They put me in the police car to keep me hidden because my wife pulled up. I thought she was going to see me,” said Joe Jimenez, U.S. Army soldier.
He decided it would be a fun surprise to show up to the Red, White, and Moo parade in Plainview without telling his wife.
“I actually texted him in the morning that I really did not want to go because I know Fourth of July is his thing. He likes all the fireworks and all that. I didn’t want to be there and be reminded that he wasn’t there. So I was contemplated going then not going,” said Jimenez.
She went to the parade with her 2-year-old son and enjoy the parade. The surprise did cross her mind for a second.
“Actually on Sunday morning, I got a call from his brigade saying that he was already in the states and I was like ‘No, that can’t be he would tell me’ and I was freaking otu but he assured me like ‘No, that’s not me I promise!” said Rios.
“I had a feeling she knew already. I thought she saw me in the jeep already because there was no windows and Iw as like ‘Man, she already knows she’s not going to be excited. She’s not going to show any emotion,” said Jimenez.
But her reaction was the opposite and they said they wouldn’t want to spend the holiday anywhere else.
“I’m glad that I’m able to be here this day because there are some that aren’t here and I’m grateful that I got to be here on this day. I’ve been missed it for the last three years. I’ve always been gone. So I was grateful I was able to make it this time,” said Jimenez.
