- November 15, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
Just hours away from playing his season opener, Joshua Marino anxiously awaited to play ball like the other 600 kids. But, after hearing President Patrick Johnan call him out to reveal someone who had come from a faraway distance to surprise him, Marino no longer thought about baseball.
“We’ve celebrated so many Christmases, Thanksgivings and holidays without him, so it’s just really nice to have him here.”
CRYSTAL MARINO, Navy Airman Louis Marino’s mother
His older brother, Louis, a Flagler Palm Coast alum, who joined the Navy in 2013, returned home Friday night after living in Japan for three years. When Josh saw him, he immediately ran to greet him, and the two shared a special moment near the mound.
Just moments before surprising his brother, Louis surprised his mother, Crystal, who was so stunned, she passed out.
“We’ve celebrated so many Christmases, Thanksgivings and holidays without him, so it’s just really nice to have him here,” she said. “I can’t believe he’s here….I’m so excited!”
After flying into town, his sister, Brittany, picked him up from the airport. Knowing their father, Lou, a Volusia County sheriff’s officer, was working his late shift, Brittany invited him to a normal late-night dessert run for milk shakes. As Lou walked in, to his surprise, his son was there to greet him.
“Being in uniform, I tried to keep my composure,” Lou laughed. “It was just a pleasant surprise. It’s really great to see him.”
