Little Boy Rushes to Greet Military Mom in Formation, Warms Hearts of Many (Video)

By Lauren Leigh Noske
Military Mom Welcome Home by Son
Military Mom Welcome Home by Son

A video of a three-year-old boy who ran to greet his mother Tuesday morning while she was still in formation after returning home from a nine month deployment went viral on Facebook earlier this week.

Cooper Waldvogel hadn't seen his mother in nine months. A member of the National Guard's 114th Transportation Company, Kathryn had been deployed to Afghanistan while her husband Adam stayed at home with their son. Adam and Kathryn are both in the National Guard, and had not seen each other in 19 months because their deployments overlapped. Thankfully, their parents live close by and have been a big help in caring for Cooper.

Kathryn was surprised to see little Cooper standing just in front of her after getting in formation with the rest of her Company - "I was longing to hold him," she said. The 114th Transportation Company was told by their first sergeant not to greet family and friends until they had been dismissed. Cooper, however, did not seem to want to wait any longer - the little boy rushed across the room and jumped into his mother's arms.

"He just kept smiling like he was in awe of me," Kathryn told KARE 11, who had captured the video and posted it on Facebook. Thousands of people have shared and liked their video, and the Waldvogel family is grateful for the encouragement that they have received from social media. Needless to say, little Cooper is ecstatic to have both of his parents present for the first time in almost two years.

  • [Exclusive Interview] A revelation within the brink of life and death — Meg Leung’s mission in Christian art

    Meg Leung (梁麗橋), an artist with a lifelong love for watercolor painting, sees her art as more than a means of expressing her inner world; it is a bridge connecting her to God. Her artistic journey has revealed God’s perfect plan and inspired her to communicate the power of faith through her wor

  • Transgenderism a fundamental human right? Hong Kong public disagrees, survey finds

    A 2024 survey from the Society for Truth and Light (明光社)'s Center for Life and Ethics Research reveals that respondents from various backgrounds prioritize personal safety and fairness when it comes to transgender issues. When laws involve moral judgments, most respondents believe courts should not make the decisions. The study also indicates that religious believers share similar views with non-religious respondents, reflecting that many churches may rarely address gender topics in depth.

  • Discipleship and Evangelism: Walking the Path of the Great Commission

    Like an ever-flowing spring, the gospel refreshes dry, parched lands and needs our unwavering passion and steadfast faith to transform lives and bring renewal. The "flame in our hearts" calls Christians to keep their faith and love for the Lord ablaze, representing the work and power of the Holy Spirit, driving us to proclaim God's glory boldly.

  • North America Chinese Evangelical Seminary year-end report highlights significant ministry progress

    As the year draws to a close, Rev. James Liu, President of the Chinese Evangelical Seminary North America (CESNA), reflected on the seminary’s remarkable growth and ministry development over the past year. Dedicated to providing theological education to Chinese Christians, CESNA continues to uphold its mission to remain faithful to the gospel and nurture believers. This year’s achievements span academic, ministerial, and outreach endeavors, fostering spiritual growth and advancing missionary wo