Air Force airman Aaron Bach surprised his family during Friday’s Armed Forces Bowl.
FORT WORTH, Texas — Friday’s Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth was a sellout. Fans of Oklahoma and Navy packed the stands looking to cheer their teams to an end-of-season victory.
However, one attendee, Thu Ho, isn’t a fan of either team. Heck, she’s barely a fan of football at all. She just came to the game to support her son.
Air Force Medical Material Tech Aaron Bach is stationed in Japan.
Ho was pregnant when she immigrated to Garland from Vietnam 30 years ago. As a single mom, she worked two jobs to provide for Bach and his brother, David.
They’ve spent every Christmas with each other. However, Bach had just deployed when he learned they may never be together for another one.
A few months after he shipped out, Ho was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. She has no idea how much time she’s got.
“I pray every day for my life to keep going and going,” Ho said.
She said her prayer is to live long enough to see Bach again. It’s a wish that organizers of today’s game wanted to grant in some small way. They invited Ho, David and his family onto the field for a special video message from Bach.
By that point, almost everyone in the stadium had figured out that video was just a distraction. But, Bach’s family was caught completely off guard when he emerged from the tunnel behind them and ran into their open arms.
After flying home the day before, Bach surprised his family at midfield.
The airman says his mom is the real hero. Because of her, he says the place he calls home is the country he’s proud to serve.
“She means literally the world to me,” Bach said.
The three embraced as long as they could.
“I love you,” Ho said.
“I love you too,” answered Bach.