Soldier surprises family with return at Monster Jam

Many El Pasoans are familiar with the feeling of waiting for a loved one in the military to return from a long deployment. Sa the Ceijas family though they were at the Monster Jam when they were told they had won a VIP experience on the field; little did they know they would get the surprise of a lifetime.

“We got here around the 21st, so it’s been like two, three weeks, but I left about ten months ago, so I hadn’t seen them in over ten months, It’s been rough,” said Specialist Pedro Ceijas.

The El Paso reservist had been away from home in Iraq and Kuwait for nearly a year. Sunday as his family arrived at the Monster jam for their yearly tradition they all thought Pedro wouldn’t be there with them.

“Every year I try to bring my little brother out. Last year I couldn’t make it because I was getting ready to deploy, and by the time Monster Jam was here I was getting ready to deploy, so I was in Ft. Bliss training to deploy,” he said.

The Ceijas family were called down to the floor for a VIP experience, and as presenters distracted the family, Pedro ran behind them surprising everyone. Although his family didn’t know he would be there, his grandmother said she had a feeling.

“Yo sabia! Yo sabia que aqui andaba mi hijo,” exclaimed his grandmother in tears as she reached out to hug him.

With his mother, grandparents, and little brother all joining him in a hug in front of thousands, Pedro said there’s nothing left but for him to enjoy time with his family.