45,000 fans watched Aaron Bach walk out onto Amon G. Carter Stadium field to surprise his family at the Armed Forces Bowl held recently in Fort Worth, Texas. The senior airman took several strides toward midfield before opening his arms to embrace the family running towards him – two nieces and his younger brother David. But he saved the tightest hug for his mother, Thu Thi Ho, who is battling stage 4 breast cancer.
“I owe everything to my mother,” he said.
Thu Thi Ho immigrated to the U.S. from Vietnam as a single mom who spoke very little English. The airman recalls her struggles to make a place in America for her sons.
“Without knowing English, she worked two to three jobs, earning minimum wage,” Aaron shared. “Seeing firsthand how she struggled for us made me appreciate all the opportunities we have in the states.”
They moved from Spartanburg, South Carolina to the Dallas region when Aaron was young and found a support system in the city of Garland’s vibrant Asian community. Thu Ho was able to put Aaron and his brother through college, where he studied economics at the University of Texas.
“When I got out of college, I was stagnant,” said Aaron. “Just job hopping without much direction. And I decided to serve because the government has given my family a lot of assistance, and I wanted to give something back to the country that has given so much to me.”
Aaron became a Sr. Enlisted Airman and a medical material technician, serving just under two years in Kadena, Japan. Described by the peers who nominated him for this reunion as a “high performer” with a “positive attitude,” Aaron has taken part in two large-scale training exercises, stating that, “being in the support squadron has helped me realize that even in my day-to-day job, I’m still playing a role in lifesaving by boosting our capabilities.”
Still, life abroad for a young service member is hard, and in May 2024, times got a lot harder when Aaron’s mother was diagnosed with cancer.
“It hurt,” said an emotional Aaron. “It’s really painful to know what she’s going through, what they’re all going through back at home.”
The American Red Cross is dedicated to helping military families during the happiest of times, the most challenging circumstances, and all the moments in between.
In conjunction with ESPN and American Airlines, the Red Cross selected Aaron for this surprise opportunity and orchestrated the logistics to make this annual reunion a special reality for his entire family.
“When I joined the military, I had no idea all the Red Cross does for military members. I’m incredibly grateful to the Red Cross for making this reunion happen,” Aaron said. “Being selected for this surprise means the world to me. It’s a blessing to be with my family during this trying time.”
Through every phase of duty, military service members and their families face a unique, sometimes daunting set of challenges – like reaching a loved one stationed overseas in an emergency or combatting veteran isolation. From the first deployment to life after service, the Red Cross is proud to provide a continuum of care, 24 hours a day, for those who serve and their loved ones.
As the crowd cheered and the family embraced, the true spirit of the Armed Forces Bowl was on full display — a celebration of service, sacrifice and the unbreakable bonds of family.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
Support all the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross.
Find a drive and schedule a blood donation appointment today.
Take a class and be ready to respond if an emergency strikes.
