JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A sailor received a surprise welcome home Tuesday after serving his fifth tour of duty in Afghanistan.
It took nine days for Lt. Cmdr. Craig Rosen to return home, but his wife, children, and his son's Cub Scouts pack tackled the sailor as he walked through the gates at Jacksonville International Airport just before 11 p.m.
"You guys are crazy," he laughed.
"I had no idea they would all be here," he told Action News. "I thought it would be a quiet welcome from my family and, I can't believe you all stayed up for this!"
Rosen just completed his fifth tour overseas, but for the first time he returned by plane. He says every airport he went to, someone wanted to shake his hand.
"I had my $7 ready to pay for lunch today, but someone else picked up the tab. It was the warmest welcome I've ever experienced."
Rosen is also a Webelo den leader and the Assistant Cub Scout Master for Pack 182. He has missed the past eight months of activities, but is excited to get back to scouting.
"I told myself I would be make Scouting a great pastime for my son and that's what I've tried to do for all these kids. I just can't believe they stayed awake for me! This is sweet!"
