Sailor's Dad Surprises Her On Return From Deployment

A sailor couldn’t hold back her tears when she returned from deployment to discover her dad – who was unable to see her the last time she was in the U.S. – hiding in their car waiting to surprise her. Madison Meany, 23, an E-4 with the United States Navy, arrived back on home soil in July aboard the USS Eisenhower to Naval Station Norfolk, in Virginia, ending a nine-month deployment. The carrier group spent the majority of that time in the Red Sea defending shipping lanes from Iranian-backed rebels, with Madison – assigned to the Crash and Salvage division – working long days in 100+ degree heat fighting missiles and drones being deployed against cargo ships. But what made her return extra special was that her dad, who wasn’t able to see her the last time she was home, had a special surprise in store. In August 2023 while she was back on base, dad Johnny Meany, 53, was unable to visit from Atlanta, Georgia, leaving Madison super upset she couldn’t see her father. Fast forward to July 2024, and after starting a new position at his work, Johnny again wasn’t sure he’d be able to get the time off to see Madison – until his boss told him it would be no problem. Johnny and wife Tracie kept the news secret from their daughter, so when they went to base on July 14 the moment came as a complete surprise for Madison.