Community Gathers as Family Returns Home After Syria Ordeal

A Family’s Journey Home from the Heart of Conflict

A local family has finally returned to U.S. soil after being caught in the midst of a sudden outbreak of violent conflict in Syria. Desiree Gomez, her husband, and their 18-month-old child arrived at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport on Wednesday afternoon, greeted by friends, family, and members of the school community she serves.

The emotional moment was captured as the family stepped off the plane wrapped in an American flag. The family had been visiting relatives when the fighting broke out around them. They initially stayed in the city for about three or four days before moving to a safer location. However, even that place was surrounded by danger.

“We were in the middle of the city originally. We were there for about three or four days for the fighting,” Gomez explained. “Then we moved to safety, and that safety was very safe — but it was surrounded by not-safe.”

As conditions worsened, the family reached out to relatives in the United States for help. Navigating a war zone is no easy task, especially when mortars are exploding all around you.

“Because it’s kind of difficult to organize your own kind of rescue in the middle of mortars and things blasting all around you,” she said.

The nonprofit Grey Bull Rescue, known for high-risk humanitarian operations, launched a complex mission to bring the family out of the conflict zone. Using passwords, coded communication, and secret routes, the group managed to extract the family safely.

“We start working the streets, and basically what we have to do is build a mousetrap in such a way where we can guarantee safety of these Americans who are stuck,” said Bryan Stern, founder of Grey Bull Rescue. “As the crow flies, not far. But the route that we have to take is going to be four or five, six hours of time through multiple different areas controlled by multiple different groups. This is very delicate stuff. This is pick-up sticks.”

Although Grey Bull has operated in Syria before, this mission was uniquely challenging. Stern described the situation as extremely dangerous and difficult to understand from an American perspective.

“This part of the world we’re very familiar with — joke’s on us, wasn’t so simple,” he said. “The situation on the ground is hard to understand as Americans. The sectarian violence is on a medieval scale. This latest round of absolute — just murder.”

Armed militias, including ISIS-affiliated groups, had taken control of the region, cutting off communication and flooding the streets with gunfire. Despite the dangers, the family remained patient and ready for the rescue.

“Whenever we would get communication, they would say, ‘Okay, we’re coming. You ready?’ And we’re ready,” Gomez said. “And then it wasn’t working out on their end for safety reasons or whatever. And then, ‘Be ready, be ready.’ And then finally, we were ready and we left. And it was swift and dangerous. But we’re here — so that’s what matters.”

The return home was filled with emotion. Gomez, an assistant principal at Lyman Elementary School, was welcomed by students, coworkers, and loved ones. Her mother, Dena Erickson, described the rescue as something out of a movie.

“They were able, when they had a window, and they were able to go in and actually start the move for the rescue,” she said. “We were given instructions — no phone usage at all. That was probably the most difficult part of this journey. But we’re just excited, and I just — I can’t wait to see my baby.”

The family expressed gratitude for being home and excitement about reuniting with their children. Their rescue also received support from U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott’s offices.