IT'S GOING TO BE EASIEST TO PICK THEM UP IN A HELICOPTER. >> ARE YOU GUYS GOING TO REMEMBER FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE >> GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL IS A MEMORABLE MOMENT. BUT FOR ONE PALMETTO RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE, IT WAS EXTRA SPECIAL GULF COAST NEWS REPORTER ALEXA VELEZ SHOWS US THE INCREDIBLE SURPRISE HIS FAMILY PULLED OFF RIGHT BEFORE HE CROSSED THE STAGE. IT'S GRADUATION DAY AT PALMETTO RIDGE, HIGH SCHOOL BUZZING WITH EXCITED AND NERVOUS ENERGY. THE SENIORS ARE TAKING THEIR FINAL STEPS TOWARD ADULTHOOD. >> MOMENT THEY'LL NEVER FORGET. BUT FOR ONE STUDENT THIS DAY WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR A REASON FAR GREATER THAN A DIPLOMA. WE'RE HERE WITH SEBASTIAN WHO JUST CAME BACK FROM OKINAWA WHERE HE'S STATIONED WITH THE MARINES AND HIS LITTLE BROTHER HAS NO IDEA THAT HE'S HERE TO SURPRISE HIM. >> FOR HIS HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION, HOW ARE YOU FEELING AFTER GREAT JUST TO BE GOOD LIKE THE? >> NERVOUS? AND THE GIST OF IT, BUT ACTUALLY FINE. LET'S GO. LET'S DO IT. LET'S GO. SURPRISE HIM. >> THE GUMBO BROTHERS, SOMETHING I'D WANT SEBASTIAN BACK TOGETHER AFTER ONE YEAR SEPARATED BY THOUSANDS OF MILES. >> BELIEVE IT'S HAPPENING BECAUSE THE SURPRISE HAPPENED QUICKLY. >> BUT IT'S BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR A WHILE. SO IT'S BEEN 7 MONTHS IN THE PLANNING. AND SO YOU HAVE TO KEEP SECRET. OH, MY GOODNESS. AND DID YOU HAVE ANY IDEA IT TAKES HIM TO HE'S BEEN BUSY HERE AT THE U.S. HAVE A NOTICE CAMP. >> IT'S I REALLY WASN'T EXPECTING ALL THE SO REALLY HAPPY. >> GRADUATION GIFT THAT NO CAP OR DOWN COULD TOP FOR THIS FAMILY TODAY WILL ALWAYS BE SPECIAL. NOT ONLY FOR THE MILESTONE FOR THE EMBRACE. THAT SA
News We Love: Marine surprises brother at high school graduation
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Updated: 11:49 PM CDT May 25, 2025
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Graduation days are always emotional — but for one student at Palmetto Ridge High School in Florida, it became a truly unforgettable day.LCpl. Sebastian Gamboa flew in from Okinawa, Japan, where he’s stationed with the Marines, to surprise his younger brother, Santiago, just moments before he walked across the stage to receive his diploma.It was the first time the brothers had seen each other in a year. Sebastian graduated from the same school, too.After what felt like a long walk to the school gym, their mom, Monica Weinmann, called Santiago over from the bleachers. Still unaware of what was happening, Santiago saw his brother walking in, dressed in full uniform. The moment they saw each other, the brothers embraced and became emotional.“Yeah, as you can tell, I'm still a little — I can't believe it's happening. It feels like I'm dreaming," Santiago said.The reunion was months in the making.“Oh, like seven months, actually,” Sebastian said. “So, it's been seven months in the planning. I was excited."Sebastian and his family kept the plan a secret the entire time.Santiago had no idea the surprise was coming.“I texted him to come. He told me he's been busy — he can’t — he has to have notice,” Santiago said. “So I really wasn't expecting this. I'm just really happy.”For the Gamboa family, this graduation was more than a milestone. It was a moment of reunion, love, and an embrace that said, “Welcome home.”
Graduation days are always emotional — but for one student at Palmetto Ridge High School in Florida, it became a truly unforgettable day.
LCpl. Sebastian Gamboa flew in from Okinawa, Japan, where he’s stationed with the Marines, to surprise his younger brother, Santiago, just moments before he walked across the stage to receive his diploma.
It was the first time the brothers had seen each other in a year. Sebastian graduated from the same school, too.
After what felt like a long walk to the school gym, their mom, Monica Weinmann, called Santiago over from the bleachers. Still unaware of what was happening, Santiago saw his brother walking in, dressed in full uniform.
The moment they saw each other, the brothers embraced and became emotional.
“Yeah, as you can tell, I'm still a little — I can't believe it's happening. It feels like I'm dreaming," Santiago said.
The reunion was months in the making.
“Oh, like seven months, actually,” Sebastian said. “So, it's been seven months in the planning. I was excited."
Sebastian and his family kept the plan a secret the entire time.
Santiago had no idea the surprise was coming.
“I texted him to come. He told me he's been busy — he can’t — he has to have notice,” Santiago said. “So I really wasn't expecting this. I'm just really happy.”
For the Gamboa family, this graduation was more than a milestone. It was a moment of reunion, love, and an embrace that said, “Welcome home.”
