Today we take a moment to appreciate our freedoms that are and have been protected everyday by our military.
Sports teams around the country have helped these men and women surprise their families with incredibly emotional reunions. Today we celebrate the Fourth of July by honoring the men and women of the armed forces who have served and currently serve this country.
As part of the team's annual "Salute to Service" game, the Detroit Lions welcomed Michigan native, Marine Captain Josh Munsee and his family for a surprise on-field homecoming between the first and second quarter of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field on November 24, 2013 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
As part of the team's annual "Salute to Service" game, the Detroit Lions welcomed Michigan native, Marine Captain Josh Munsee and his family for a surprise on-field homecoming between the first and second quarter of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field on November 24, 2013 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Anna Kitchens (2R), son Caleb Kitchens (L), 4, and daughter Allie Kitchens, 19 months, react to a surprise reunion as Anna's husband, Technical Sergeant Donald Kitchens of the U.S. Air Force arrives home from his duty in Turkey two weeks early, prior to the game between the Seattle Mariners and the Milwaukee Brewers at Safeco Field on August 9, 2013 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
Anna Kitchens (2R), son Caleb Kitchens (L), 4, and daughter Allie Kitchens, 19 months, react to a surprise reunion as Anna's husband, Technical Sergeant Donald Kitchens of the U.S. Air Force arrives home from his duty in Turkey two weeks early, prior to the game between the Seattle Mariners and the Milwaukee Brewers at Safeco Field on August 9, 2013 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
Lt. Col. Will Adams had been deployed overseas in Afghanistan, but came back to surprise his daughter Alayna. He dressed up as a catcher since she was throwing out the first pitch. When he took of the mask she realized who he was.
Lt. Col. Will Adams had been deployed overseas in Afghanistan, but came back to surprise his daughter Alayna. He dressed up as a catcher since she was throwing out the first pitch. When he took of the mask she realized who he was.
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 08: Sgt. Wilson Caro of the US Army is reunited with his family prior to the start of the game between the New York Mets and the Miami Marlins at Citi Field on June 8, 2013 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Sgt. Caro is presently serving in Afganistan and was flown in by the New York Mets for the reunion. (Photo by Andy Marlin/AM Photography/Getty Images)
Sgt. Wilson Caro of the US Army is reunited with his family prior to the start of the game between the New York Mets and the Miami Marlins at Citi Field on June 8, 2013 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Sgt. Caro is presently serving in Afganistan and was flown in by the New York Mets for the reunion.
Sgt. Wilson Caro of the US Army is reunited with his daughter Ciara Luna Caro prior to the start of the game between the New York Mets and the Miami Marlins at Citi Field on June 8, 2013 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Sgt. Caro is presently serving in Afganistan and was flown in by the New York Mets for the reunion.
Sgt. Wilson Caro of the US Army is reunited with his daughter Ciara Luna Caro prior to the start of the game between the New York Mets and the Miami Marlins at Citi Field on June 8, 2013 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Sgt. Caro is presently serving in Afganistan and was flown in by the New York Mets for the reunion.
Sergeant Dale Dick is reunited with family during an NHL game.
Sergeant Dale Dick is reunited with family during an NHL game.
:LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 25: U.S. Army Captain Doug Cox reunites with his wife Corrie and their children after his return from duty in Afghanistan, prior to a game between the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on January 25, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
U.S. Army Captain Doug Cox reunites with his wife Corrie and their children after his return from duty in Afghanistan, prior to a game between the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on January 25, 2013 in Los Angeles, California.
GBOSTON - JULY 4: Family and friends rush into left field to greet Petty Officer Bridget Lydon of Squantum, Mass., when she surprised them by coming out from behind the giant American flag in front of the Green Monster during a pre game ceremony. Her family was on the mound watching a video about her, describing her overseas deployment when she appeared on the field unannounced. She had not been home for a visit since last October. The Boston Red Sox hosted the Toronto Blue Jays in an MLB regular season game at Fenway Park. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Family and friends rush into left field to greet Petty Officer Bridget Lydon of Squantum, Mass., when she surprised them by coming out from behind the giant American flag in front of the Green Monster during a pre game ceremony. Her family was on the mound watching a video about her, describing her overseas deployment when she appeared on the field unannounced. She had not been home for a visit since last October. The Boston Red Sox hosted the Toronto Blue Jays in an MLB regular season game at Fenway Park.
Elaine Thompson / AP
Sgt. Zach Ames, center, who has been on a one-year deployment to Afghanistan, surprises his wife, Bri Ames, left, and their daughter Emersyn, right, with a reunion prior to an NFL football game between the New York Jets and the Seattle Seahawks.
*ATLANTA, GA - MAY 28: Master Sergeant David Sims is reunited with his wife Robin and his family during the fifth inning of the Memorial Day celebration between the Atlanta Braves and the St. Louis Cardinals at Turner Field on May 28, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Master Sergeant David Sims is reunited with his wife Robin and his family during the fifth inning of the Memorial Day celebration between the Atlanta Braves and the St. Louis Cardinals at Turner Field on May 28, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia.
KKANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 15: Army Specialist Wes Wooten of Maryville, Missouri returns from Afghanistan to surprise his sister Mataya Wooton before a game between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on September 15, 2012 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Tim Umphrey/Getty Images)
Army Specialist Wes Wooten of Maryville, Missouri returns from Afghanistan to surprise his sister Mataya Wooton before a game between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on September 15, 2012 in Kansas City, Missouri.
KKANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 15: Army Specialist Wes Wooten of Maryville, Missouri returns from Afghanistan to surprise his sister Mataya Wooton before a game between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on September 15, 2012 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Tim Umphrey/Getty Images)
KKANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 15: Maryville, Missouri returns from Afghanistan to surprise his sister Mataya Wooton before a game between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on September 15, 2012 in Kansas City, Missouri.
mTEMPE, AZ - JANUARY 1: Tresa McCormick was surprised during halftime of the 34th annual Tostitos Fiesta Bowl when she was reunited with her husband Staff Sergeant James McCormick, an active U.S. Army soldier serving overseas. Tresa believed she was attending the game to participate in a halftime 'throw for charity' benefiting the USO. (Getty Images for Frito-Lay)
Tresa McCormick was surprised during halftime of the 34th annual Tostitos Fiesta Bowl when she was reunited with her husband Staff Sergeant James McCormick, an active U.S. Army soldier serving overseas. Tresa believed she was attending the game to participate in a halftime 'throw for charity' benefiting the USO.
7BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 12: Lieutenant Charlie Jacobs returns from Afghanistan and surprises his parents during the ceremonial puck drop before the game of the Boston Bruins against the Buffalo Sabres at the TD Garden on November 12, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)
Lieutenant Charlie Jacobs returns from Afghanistan and surprises his parents during the ceremonial puck drop before the game of the Boston Bruins against the Buffalo Sabres at the TD Garden on November 12, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 15: Army PFC Chad Graden surprises his son Titus by returning early from service before the game between the Minnesota Twins and the Detroit Tigers on August 15, 2012 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
Army PFC Chad Graden surprises his son Titus by returning early from service before the game between the Minnesota Twins and the Detroit Tigers on August 15, 2012 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Air Force Sergeant Chris Weichman greets his daughters. (James Snook/Spokane Indians) After competing in a between-inning contest at a Minor League Baseball game, most fans leave the field with little more than a new t-shirt. At Monday evening's Spokane Indians game, however, the prize was infinitely more meaningful.
Air Force Sergeant Chris Weichman greets his daughters. The girls were competing in a contest during a Spokane Indians minor league game when they were surprised by their father who has been overseas.
Steve Smerer surprised his son, Kyle, by dressing up as an umpire at a Mariners game. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
First Sgt. Steve Smerer surprised his son, Kyle, by dressing up as an umpire at a Mariners game.
Jordan Megenhardt/Arizona Diamondbacks Paul Aguirre's kids thought they were throwing out the first pitch; little did they know, their dad was the catcher.
Lt. Col. Paul Aguirre surprised his kids when they thought that they were throwing out the first pitch at an Arizona Diamondbacks game.
