Corporal Edward Mariotti is a marine stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. He's been gone since January and can't afford to return for the holidays. Thanks to the kindness of a stranger, Mariotti is coming home to Cassville to be with his family for Thanksgiving.

Mariotti's mother Sue Connors spoke to a man over the weekend who asked about her son. "I let him know he was trying to come home for Thanksgiving or Christmas, since he hadn't been home since January. He even missed 2 family funerals because of training and money is tight."

The man wished him well and moved on. "4 hours later this same man returned and handed me an envelope, saying he appreciates the military and its families," Connors explained.

Inside the envelope was an early present. Connors says "there was a card thanking us for his service and a sizable check for my son to come home for the holidays."

Sue Connors
Sue Connors
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Connor sent a message to her son, giving him the good news. "He asked me to hug this man for him."

Mariotti says money is tight for him after $2,500 worth of his military gear was stolen. He wouldn't be able to make it back without the kindness of this man and he's appreciative. "Words can't express how nice it will be to see family. I would like to meet this kind man when I get home on Thanksgiving and shake his hand."

The man, only known as Dave J., proved to Connors and everyone else, despite the bad that occurs in the world, there is so much good that happens too. "This man, who I do not know well at all, made me cry several times throughout the day. I can not express my gratitude enough."


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