A Soldier's Holiday Homecoming is Put on Hold

The Surrett's have been anxiously waiting to see their young soldier Jacob again, but it looks like this reunion will have to wait at least one more day. He was scheduled to start his two-week "R & R" July 4th, but a sandstorm in Kuwait kept Jacob Surrett's plane from taking off.

"Just anxious for him to come home. Just ready to see him," said Jacob's mother Diane Surrett.

The 23-year-old has been stationed in Afghanistan since 2009, and hasn't seen his family in six months.

"I know I couldnt do it if it was me, so he does good with what hes dealing with," said Diane. "He'll go back as many times as they'll let him. I dont think his wife would want him to, but I believe he wants to go back again."

Jacob's wife, Casey, says the kids are starting to catch on about what 'Daddy' does. "This deployment, [the kids say] 'When's daddy coming, when's daddy gonna be here,' and they see him on Skype and they have nightmares about their daddy not being there," said Casey Surrett.

The Christian Riders and the Patriot Guard (a war veteran group of motorcycle riders) wanted to give Jacob a hero's welcome when he steps off the plane in Mobile. But even though they had to reschedule their plans, Vietnam veteran Don Herron says they'll be ready to meet the soldier at the airport anytime his plane lands.

"We just want to pay the honor and respect to this young man that we owe him," said Herron. "He's a serviceman and we love him and respect him, because hes over there fighting for us."

A News 5 crew was actually there for his first return back to the States in 2009 -- when his whole family greeted him at the airport. Jacob Surrett earned a Commendation Medal that year for his service in Afghanistan.

"Jacob said it's so bad over there the helicopter is scared to fly," said his mother Diane Surrett. "So they don't want to go over there and drop no water or no mail or food to him, so it's pretty rough, but he does like what hes doing."

As News 5 was leaving the Surrett residence, Jacob sent a Facebook message to his wife Casey promising to be home in time for supper Tuesday night.