Soldier Comes Home Just in Time for Thanksgiving
By: Lauren Murphy
Updated: November 21, 2007
Lots of folks are doing last minute preparations to welcome friends and family members into their homes, but one Lubbock family will have an especially happy reunion.
"Daddy's coming home," said two year-old Jayden Hibbler.
For this last nine months, his father Cpl. Justin Hibbler has been serving in Al Asad, Iraq with the U.S. Marines.
He'll make it home just in time to have Thanksgiving dinner with his family.
"What I'm waiting for and what I've waited for all year is when he sees Jayden," said Barbara Manahan, Cpl. Hibbler's mother-in-law.
"I'm like a kid with a new toy. I can hardly wait to just touch him," said Neldia Hibbler, Hibbler's mother.
"Everybody will be here this Thanksgiving," said Stephanie Hibbler, Hibbler's wife of nearly three years and friend since the two were babies.
Right after they got married, Hibbler was deployed to Fallujuah.
Now, four years later, his family says it's definitely time to come home.
"I'm very proud of him. It takes a lot of courage to sacrifice their lives and their families for their country," said Stephanie.
"We're so ready to have him come home and be a part of the family again and little Jayden to have his dad, Stephanie have her husband, and us our son also," said Neldia.
"Big hug," said Jayden.
Corporal Hibbler arrives at Lubbock Preston Smith Airport at 11:30 Thursday morning.
