On Wednesday, Jan. 7, 1LT Chuck Nadd ’11 arrived home to Winter Park, FL after an 8-month tour in Afghanistan. But this was no ordinary homecoming. After Nadd’s fiancée picked him up from the airport, she drove him directly to downtown Winter Park, where he was greeted by surprise with a spectacular welcome home parade. Hundreds of local residents lined the streets of New England Avenue, waving signs and sprinkling confetti, as Nadd and his fiancé climbed atop a Budweiser wagon pulled by the legendary Clydesdales.
Nadd’s homecoming was sponsored by Budweiser, and numerous camera and sound crews followed the parade route to capture the event on film. Nadd – a Blackhawk helicopter pilot – was selected by the Department of Defense to be featured in a documentary about veterans. However, he was completely astonished by the welcome parade his fiancée and Budweiser had arranged for his homecoming. And with the Clydesdales in attendance, one can only speculate that this surprise welcome might be seen in a commercial during Super Bowl XLVIII, which airs Feb. 2 on Fox.
Budweiser representatives would not specify where or when the footage may be used.
Many service men and women were in attendance, including Dave Carroll, a 69-year-old Vietnam veteran from Winter Springs.
"It makes me tear up," said Carroll, who stood in his Marine Corps dress blues.
"We should never forget our soldiers that are still serving," added Master Sgt. Amy Lugo of Ocala, who attended the parade with three Army colleagues. "We should keep supporting them until the last service member returns home."
As Nadd got the surprise of a lifetime, it was clear that he was truly moved by the welcome he received from his community.
"So many have given so much more than me," said Nadd. "They're the real heroes."