Veteran Surprised By Battle Buddy After 10 years

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A U.S. veteran could not believe his eyes when he opened his front door to discover his battle buddy from Iraq, who had traveled across the country to surprise him on his birthday. Other than a brief one-hour crossover in 2010, Shawn Dodd and best friend Jesse Burr had not spent time with each other since they served in 2003. Back then, Shawn, 43, was a staff sergeant with the U.S. Army's 4th Infantry Division, 1-12 Infantry, when he met fellow staff sergeant Jesse, 49. Shawn and Jesse both lost their commander and close friend in action, and for the years that followed their service, they kept in touch to help one another with the loss. In 2019, Jesse sent Shawn a handmade wooden U.S. flag to celebrate his time in the military, which Shawn says is so special to him that it would be the first thing he would save in a house fire. It had always been Jesse's aim to travel from his Tehachapi, California home to surprise Shawn in Vancouver, Washington, and with the help of Shawn's son, Caleb, that visit became possible.

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VideoID: TT-5212

[codyzimmer]

I haven’t seen my battle buddies since 2010. Sure do miss them guys. Bonds like these are sacred.

[aussiephotographer]

Love this. Is it me or do they look like brothers? Thank you for your service.

[CrazyLilThingCalledLife]

Man they resemble each other !!! Thank you so much for your service men !!! 🇺🇸

[Carol-ymbq]

I was deployed twice during the gulf war. This is how deep that connection can be. You spend 24 hrs a day with these people. They become very special to you. This was beautiful to watch. Thank you for your service.

[TheNocturnalLogician]

From one serviceman to another, I thank you for your service, blood, sweat, and tears, hooah! You are an inspiration to me.

[zoeartrc]

They look like brothers, as others have also commented.
Thank you both for your service.

[TheSharron]

I’m so glad you two had this moment...now, we did.Thank you for your service.🇺🇸🇺🇸

[Zues]

As a retired military man, this video did my heart good....thanks for sharing this. I'm thankful to have served along side men and women like you guys to protect the freedoms and interest of our country! YOU ARE APPRECIATED! God Bless you guys.

[lionheartpt]

2 brothers reunited, man this Brought tears to my eyes.

[skankhunt]

They should definitely do a DNA test 😅

[Sandmann-ohrr]

The bond we make with those we served with isn’t something that goes away. We live, eat, sleep, hurt, celebrate, argue, fight. We are all that we have over there. It’s a bond that cannot be explained.

[WilliamHill-inyz]

Good to see best friends connect. I lost my best friend several years ago due to illness. Cherish every moment.

[Oilfieldmuscle]

Next month 13 of us are getting together. 13 infantryman who served in Iraq together. Can't wait!

[patrickmerritt]

these men do not score touchdowns nor do they hit home runs, but they are by far the truest meaning of HERO than does that do score touchdowns and hit home runs. my highest respect to you both and all those that serve.

[MURPH]

I'm happy and thankful for all you military men and women 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯🇺🇸🇺🇲

[lisalamorey]

They ABSOLUTELY look like brothers! How cool.

[baseballquilter]

Wow! Brought tears to my eyes. What a great relationship. They really could be related. That's crazy! What a great son he has to!

[gloryakiepper]

Thank you all around. Two first class men. This gives me hope. Bless you both.

[GoodWillPrevail]

So glad you were finally able to reunite. Not only are you best friends but you could be brothers. The resemblance is uncanny! God bless you both and thank you for your service.

[margaretestrella]

They look like they could be brothers.