Surreal: Spartanburg Family Returns Home After Syria Rescue

A Family's Journey Home from Syria

A family from Spartanburg, South Carolina, has finally returned home after being trapped in Syria. On Wednesday, the Shokair family arrived at the Greenville Spartanburg International Airport, wrapped in an American flag. The airport was filled with cheers and tears as the family made their long-awaited return.

“It’s still a little bit surreal. It’s still surreal knowing that we were in the middle of all of that,” said Desiree Gomez, one of the rescued individuals. She is an assistant principal at Lyman Elementary School.

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham confirmed on Tuesday that the Spartanburg family had been safely extracted from Syria after being caught in the chaos during their visit. The family, which included Gomez, her husband Mohamad Shokair, and their 18-month-old daughter, traveled to As Suwayda, Syria, to visit relatives when violence broke out.

In a video captured by Gomez, explosions and gunfire can be heard as the family took shelter. Roads leading out of the city were reportedly blocked by militia as the conflict between Israel and Syria escalated.

Bryan Stern, chairman and founder of the Grey Bull Rescue Foundation, who played a key role in rescuing the family, described the dangerous situation they faced. “11 minutes from one of our rally points, 26 people were killed an hour after we passed through it,” he said.

Gomez’s mother, Dena Erickson, compared the rescue to a Hollywood movie. “Our code message was ‘Jackpot. Jackpot. Jackpot.’ That’s when we knew they got them on the other side of the border,” she said.

Although the Shokair family is now safe, they still have loved ones in danger in Syria. “It’s nice that I’m here and I’m home, but we also left family back. We’re going to battle with that every day,” said Gomez.

Mohamad Shokair added, “Right now, we don’t know what tomorrow is like for us because things keep moving. It is a dynamic situation.”

The family is taking time to reconnect with their loved ones as they process everything they have gone through.

The Rescue Effort

The Grey Bull Rescue Foundation was instrumental in bringing the family to safety. Their efforts involved navigating through dangerous areas and coordinating with local authorities to ensure the family's safe passage.

Senator Lindsey Graham expressed his gratitude for the foundation’s work. “I want to profusely thank The Grey Bull Rescue Foundation for this daring rescue effort, risking their lives to bring this family to safety,” he said.

Graham also emphasized the importance of following travel advisories. “I urge all Americans to pay close attention to all State Department travel advisories before making any trips – even if it is family related,” he added.

He praised the efforts of everyone involved in the operation. “Again, I am so grateful to all those who assisted in this endeavor to bring this family safely back home to South Carolina.”

Looking Ahead

The Shokair family is currently focusing on healing and reuniting with their loved ones. They are aware that the situation in Syria remains unpredictable, and they continue to worry about family members who are still in danger.

Despite the challenges they faced, the family is grateful to be back in the United States. They hope to use their experience to raise awareness about the dangers of traveling to conflict zones and the importance of preparedness.

As they move forward, the Shokair family remains hopeful that more people will be able to return home safely from similar situations. Their story serves as a reminder of the resilience of families and the critical role of organizations like the Grey Bull Rescue Foundation in times of crisis.