Soldier surprises parents at center ice during Bruins game

BOSTON -- A surprise on the ice for a local family Saturday night at the Bruins game.

It was supposed to be two proud parents dropping the puck at the Bruins game in honor of their son who is serving in Afghanistan.

Little did Lori and Daron Jacobs know, their son Charles was waiting just off the ice with the surprise of a life time.

“It was one of the most exciting moments of my life, I was shaking. My heart was coming out of my chest, it was so unreal,” said First Lt. Charles Jacobs.

On this Veteran’s Day weekend 17,000 fans gave the Jacobs a standing ovation that brought the couple to tears but even the crowd didn’t know what was coming next.

“All of sudden the crowd got a little louder and I’m trying to look up at the jumbotron, I see nothing. What’s going on?” said Daron Jacobs, Charles’ father.

“Please welcome home your son,” could be heard over the loud speaker.

First Lt. Jacobs had not seen his parents for the most of the year until he emerged; his mom and dad had a hard time keeping it together.

“We listened to the announcement and it said someone to help you drop the puck and I just don’t know what to say,” said Daron.

Players and fans remained on their feet for the happy reunion.

First Lt. Jacobs is part of the Massachusetts National Guard and he had been serving in Afghanistan. He is on leave for a few weeks so his parents expected him home, but not so soon.

“I was actually going to show up at the seat, that was my original plan,” said Charles.

When Bruins got wind of the plan and made bigger plans.

The family stayed for the game and only have a few weeks together before he heads back overseas but as long as he’s within arm’s reach, his parents are embracing every moment.

“You know that mother’s instinct, all you want to do is just hold them and hug them and kiss them,” said Lori Jacobs, Charles’ mother.

Everyone leaving the game said that was the emotional moment that sparked the entire evening.

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