Being a mother is probably one of the toughest jobs in the world. Imagine worrying about your kids 24/7 and thinking about whether they have eaten or if they’re taking care of themselves well. It’s definitely a full-time job with lots of overtime.
And the worrying amplifies, even when the kids are grown if they are off in the world doing dangerous jobs and being exposed to life or death situations on a daily basis.
So, you can imagine the amount of stress Milvina Garcia, mother to three Filipino soldiers, experiences every day while her sons are flung to a faraway place on assignment.
Thankfully, she received the best birthday gift she could probably ask for this year when her three soldier sons surprised her by coming home for her birthday after serving for several months straight in the middle of a terrorist siege in the southern Philippines.
Brothers in service
One of the sons, 1st Lt. John Melvin Garcia, a pilot for the Philippine Air Force discussed what it was like. He said that being a soldier in the Philippines is one of the hardest things imaginable because there are times when you have to fight your own countrymen to establish peace.
John Melvin, eldest of the three, served as a combat pilot during the Marawi siege in which a terrorist group, Maute and Abu Sayyaf, attacked the southern city. He talked about his experiences as well:
“Of course, it’s hard because we were far from our family. The longest time we didn’t see each was two years,” John Melvin in an interview with local news station ABS-CBN.
Meanwhile, the youngest brother expressed the worry he felt for his brothers.
“During the height of the Marawi siege, I was really afraid for the safety of my brothers. But we were eventually able to adjust and were happy to be supporting each other,” 1st Lt. Gerson Garcia of the Philippine Army explained.
Looking on the bright side
Still, the brothers find joy in the work they do despite the hardships.
“It feels great to serve my country especially when I see the smiling faces of the kids and people in the area I serve. I always say to myself that I do my work for these people,” 2nd Lt. George Bernard Garcia said.
What more, they look to their family for strength in trying times. They always know that someone will be waiting for them back home.
Surprise homecoming
The three brothers have united with their parents this November for the first time in a long time to surprise their mother, Milvina, for her 51st birthday.
“For us, we see our parents as the real heroes. We wouldn’t be here without them,” George Bernard
The brothers were joined by their own wives as well.
“This is my happiest birthday. My wish came true thanks to the Lord,”a teary-eyed Milvina said.
With her three sons being soldiers who need to answer their call of duty at all times, it has been difficult for Milvina to get her family together again under one roof. But, this time, they made sure it happened.
Mission accomplished
See their heartwarming reunion in this video.
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