Members of the U.S. military make huge sacrifices every day as they risk their lives for their country. Their families are also making huge sacrifices as well, as they are separated from their deployed loved ones for lengthy periods of time during which they often have no idea how they are doing.

U.S. Marine Dave Woodruff had spent the past eight months deployed overseas in Spain, and he had been separated from his family for much of the two years he had been in the military. When he learned that he would be allowed to end his deployment a bit earlier than planned, he decided to give his family a surprise that they will never forget, so he enlisted some friends at home to help him out with this top secret mission.

When his parents went to church at Christ the King Church in Deville, New Jersey, they had no idea that their son was outside in the parking lot. As the pastor led the congregation in worship, he stopped and said, “We have a little treat before I dismiss everyone.”

Dave suddenly appeared on the screen to wish his father a happy 53rd birthday. The Marine said that since he had missed his dad’s last two birthdays as he served in the military, he wanted to do something special for this one.

Just as his mother removed her glasses to wipe away tears, Dave told everyone to turn around. Watch how everyone reacts to his huge surprise in the video below, and SHARE this story so your friends and family can see this as well!