Massachusetts Military Couple Surprises Their Kids With Homecoming
PHILLIPS: OK. Some of the hottest stories in a flash. We've got a special Christmas Eve edition for "Rapid Fire" today. Roll it, Michael. Are you looking forward to opening presents tomorrow? How about 22 Christmas trees. A South Dakota woman says it's her holiday tradition. Each tree has a different theme that she started planning in October. In Georgia, another display on the outside of the home, see anything unusual? How about that man hanging outside the second story window? It's actually a mannequin, but neighbors didn't realize that and one neighbor called 911, leading to police cars, fire truck, and paramedics. They all showed up and urged the homeowner to take down the decoration. Our affiliate WSB says they put it back up by popular demand. And we saved the big guy for last, Santa Claus. Looks like he's getting ready for his big night flying around the world, taking to the water. This is him on the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. The evil Grinch got into the act, came along for a little jet ski ride. His attempt to steal Christmas, though, didn't go so well, but he did get really wet. Are those reindeer? All right, now a story that we never get tired of. I'll be home for Christmas takes on new meaning when both mom and dad are active duty military and haven't been home to see their kids in six months. But a Massachusetts military couple made it home for the holiday, and their surprise arrival was picture perfect. Here's Liam Martin with WCVB.</s>LIAM MARTIN, REPORTER, WCVB: It began like any other Christmas show with music and kids excited about Santa. But waiting in the wings of this school, two soldiers who haven't seen their kids in six months.</s>DOUGLAS VALLANT, FATHER: Nice to see them. Give them hugs, kisses. Hold them.</s>MELISSA VALLANT, MOTHER: Very excited. It's been a long time. Like he said, the biggest thing is I can't wait to give them huge hugs. We talk to them, FaceTime, but FaceTime, it's a great, but it's not the same as being there.</s>MARTIN: Douglas and Melissa Vallant are both in Army and it's been a long wait to see their 8-year-old James and 3-year-old Arianna, so they and the Methuen Community Kindergarten conspired together to surprise them.</s>D. VALLANT: We have a little personal bet who's going to cry first and how the kids will react.</s>MARTIN: After Santa had come in, the two kids sang "I'll Have A Blue Christmas Without You." They thought it was being recorded to send to their parents. And then the big reveal.</s>M. VALLANT: You miss your kids like crazy. You never really understand until they're gone and you feel it. It's hard.</s>JAMES VALLANT, SON: I was like super surprised. It just gave me the best Christmas ever. My wish came true. I wanted Daddy and Mommy to come and have holly-jolly Christmas with me.</s>PHILLIPS: Douglas Vallant, the dad that you just saw there, has served in both Afghanistan and Iraq. His wife Melissa has just started her military training. Lance Armstrong admits to doping. Manti Te'o makes "catfishing" a household word. And remember just -- those are two of the stories of the top 10 sports stories of the year. See if you can guess number one. That's next.</s>LIETENANT JUNIOR GRADE LILLY BEAN (ph): Hi, my name's Lieutenant Junior Grade Lilly Bean (ph). I'm deployed on board "USS Harry S Truman" in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. I'd like to wish my brother Harrison and sister Stephanie and nieces Eva and Elsa a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.