VIDEO: Area Soldier Stationed in Korea Surprises Family w/Visit

A sensational surprise was pulled off successfully Tuesday evening in Effingham.

Army Private Derek Taylor, an Effingham High School graduate who also attended Teutopolis schools, is stationed in South Korea. Derek was due home for a visit around Christmastime, but his mother thought her son needed to come home a little sooner. She contacted T.J. Hodges at Roses from Linda, the agency that works to provide transportation for families who might not otherwise have the opportunity to make trips to see loved ones, and Hodges went to work.

The outcome is that fundraising efforts and a contribution from a generous donor who asked to remain anonymous made the visit home possible. Derek got leave time and the visit was arranged.

The decision, though, was to make the visit a secret to his family. They gathered at the Holiday Inn to watch a Skype visit with Derek so he could let them know when he was coming home. Instead, Derek was secreted away in a room upstairs at the Holiday while his family including wife Lucy, daughter Gabriela and son Leon, gathered downstairs.

Hodges explained to the family that there was a problem with the Skype broadcast and invited in a "technician" who might be able to correct the problem, and that's when Derek made his entrance. Many smiles, squeals, tears and hugs followed. Our Wayne Moran was there to capture the reunion.

After the excitement subsided a little, Hodges revealed that enough money has been raised to not only pay for this trip home, but Derek will still get to come back home closer to Christmastime.