Marine makes it home for the holidays
<p>Jenavie Hall gives her dad, James, a hug as her mom, Robin, captures the moment on camera. The Marine, stationed in Japan for the past two and a half years, surprised his daughter at Sandpoint High School with a visit home before repeating the surprise for his son at Farmin Stidwell Elementary. (Photo by TYSON BIRD)</p>
SANDPOINT — It was raining when James Hall opened the doors of Sandpoint High School and walked inside.
His back straight, he immediately removed his cap, showing his colors as a true Marine. He stoically marched up to a young girl and tapped her on the back. Though her back was turned, Hall had no trouble recognizing the backpack of his now-taller daughter, Jenavie, whom he hadn’t seen for almost three months.
The freshman’s face quickly changed from confusion to surprise to overwhelming happiness as she embraced her father in a bear hug.
“I had no idea he was coming home,” Jenavie said. “I’m happy he’s here for Christmas. I thought he would be here next year.”
After exchanging hugs, kisses, and a handful of joyful tears, the family traveled to Farmin-Stidwell Elementary to surprise the family’s 8-year-old son, Joel. His class was having a holiday party and all the students welcomed the fully-dressed Marine with bright, smiling faces and listened intently as he talked about what it means to serve the United States.
On a rainy Friday afternoon, the surprise arrival of their dad brightened his children’s spirits when he surprised them at school, the family said.
Even at the school, it took a bit of quick footwork to keep the surprise until Hall arrived.
Hall’s wife, Robin, had told Jenavie and her brother they were going out to lunch, though Jenavie was confused as to why the two were waiting in the foyer for such a long time.
Hall has been deployed to Japan for the last two and a half years and is on track to rotate back to the United States this coming summer. He was able to take 10 days off to surprise his family.
Even Robin Hall was kept out of the secret early visit until about three works ago. As she was telling James about plans to travel and visit her family, and he realized he had no choice but to let her in on the secret. The two worked in cahoots to keep the visit a surprise from their children.
“It wasn’t easy,” Robin said. “I slipped up this morning, but Jenavie didn’t notice!”
Now that James is back, the family plans to fully embrace the holiday season.
“We’ve got to buy a tree,” Hall said. “[Robin] has a honey-do list which I’m more than willing to do. We also need to do a lot of shopping.”
One of the major pieces of the illusion was Robin pretending to mail gifts to James, though she knew all along he would be home to open them.
“I thought she had mailed the gifts weeks ago!” Jenavie said.
Both James and his wife have a background in the Marines. They are grateful for the opportunities the United States and the service can provide.
“Thank you for allowing us to serve,” Hall said.