GRAND ISLAND, NY (WKBW) — It's been a long nine months for Grand Island airman Andrew Masiello. He was planning on getting out of the Military, but plans changed back in September when he volunteered to take someone else's spot in an upcoming deployment.
"A six-month deployment turned into a nine-month deployment," Masiello said. "With all this COVID stuff , it's been a roller coaster."
But on Wednesday, Masiello was finally able to return home and he was greeted by his friends at the Buffalo Airport.
"I'd always get my hopes up and I didn't want to get my hopes up because I'd always be let down," Masiello said about the last few months. "But I'm finally here."
It was the perfect ending to a long journey but another surprise was in store. Andrew and his friends kept the homecoming from Andrew's parents who were expecting him home in late July. The friends drove over to Andrew's house on Grand Island and surprised his parents with a heartwarming reunion. You can watch that surprise above this article.
