U.S. Marine Surprises His Brother During University of Illinois Basketball Practice

October 02, 2012

“Here is a piece that I edited about University of Illinois center, Meyers Leonard. It was produced/directed/shot by Matt Engel. Having a close relationship his entire life with big brother Bailey, Meyers was shocked when his brother, who was currently on duty as a U.S. Marine, flew to Illinois to surpise him and watch him play for the first time in years.”

-John Castelli

http://www.facebook.com/jolene.hawkins1 Jolene Hawkins

now that is brotherly love!
PaulBklyn

A real tear jerker God Bless you both
Hope both your dreams become reality
Tim

This is real brotherly love! Thank you Bailey for your service
Stac

Tears are flowing!God bless you both!
Elizabeth Avila

BEAUTIFUL! Keep up the good work, the both of you!! God Bless.
http://twitter.com/benno_b Ben Wallace

This broke my heart a little. Brotherly love at it’s strongest.
Ruthie

Well Sir, you and your mother have done an excellent job of raising your brother! That was so special! Welcome Home Sir. Thank you for your service and the sacrifices you and your family have made for all of us!
http://www.facebook.com/jill.elliott.395 Jill Elliott

Such a special bond xx
http://www.facebook.com/cmoniz2 Claudia Moniz

My the surprise look on his face and he wasn’t afraid to show his tears……….Welcome home and a huge Thank you for your services .
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=693987349 Renee Montero Kovach

Thank you and God bless your family!
http://www.facebook.com/trevor.nickerson1 Trevor Nickerson

god bless you sir ,welcome home ,be safe and Semper Fi
gregg

Semper Fi and God Bless.
http://www.facebook.com/leathernecklynn Raymond Lynn

this is great tks
tidalpool

god bless and keep them safe…..this is the type of man who volunteers, and this little(grin) brothers is the reason why we do.
Elizabeth

Nothing like brotherly love. God bless you both.
Ray Elliott

Great piece, John. I’m from the area, used to write a column for the local papers there and served in the Marine Corps. RE
cartogal

this kid of love gives me hope for our future!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=761204250 Ron Peters

Meyers good luck in the league with the Portland Trailblazers, you are my favorite NBA’er. God bless you Bailey, and thank you so much for your service. Continue to take good care of your mom, hope she gets well soon.
disqus_PamIXa8oDG

Brothers love, welcome home!!
farmer chris

whoa.. the power of love and hardship does bring you closer!
noonetoldya

Fantastic video, really heartwarming

For anyone who is curious, Meyers was drafted in to the NBA as the 11th overall pick to the Portland Trailblazers. Here’s hoping bro can watch him play soon.

http://www.facebook.com/melissa.emeryrota Melissa Emery- Rota

That’s awesome! Thanks for sharing this info!!
irishindc

thats great to hear – thanks for the update – totally loved seeing how the bonds of brotherhood dont change despite distance – love it!!!
Raylean

I wish him much success in the NBA. That is awesome. I have watched this video a several times and cry each time. That is a strong bond that they have. Much success to both of them.

Brian in Miss.

OK, these videos always tug at the heartstrings, but this one got to me more than most… what a wonderful reunion!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Jessica-Dow/1311895218 Jessica Dow

I couldnt help but cry. God Bless you all.
Pat Fendel

I watch these every day…This one is the true meaning of brotherhood. Thank your whole family for their sacrifice…I LOVE MY FREEDOM….It is because of what you do that I can freely say that,,,,
david

aw man these videos got me everytime
http://www.facebook.com/susan.gehring1 Susan Gehring

Absolutely beautiful… thank you so much for sharing.
debbie

Wonderful story, loved it!! It is so nice to see such brotherly love!!
God Bless this family and keep them whole. Please watch over the brother serving in the military and keep him safe.
sharen

AWESOMENESS x 1000. That’s pure love right there. thank you for sharing that with us. thank you for everything you do for us.
Brandell Lambert

I thought that this was wonderful. Great job on showing the brotherly love between brothers. Cried after seeing this.
Dakota

Thank you for your service Bailey! God Bless you!
Sandra S

i was crying before they even saw each other. Awesome reunion, I’m glad you guys got to see each other.
http://www.facebook.com/seth.miller.391 Seth Miller

Nice, real nice! God Bless you and your family! SEMPER FI, MARINE!
Lauren

That was amazing. I can’t imagine that feeling when he first saw it was his brother!
ANGIE P

GOD BLESS YOU BOTH!!!!!! I WILL PRAY TO OUR LORD THAT BOTH OF YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE AND YOU BOTH STAY SAFE.
Nuala Wolfe

Parents think that there’s nothing more powerful than the love of their child……I say ‘nope….the most powerful love there is is that between siblings’….and this proves it….

*goes off to wipe her tears*
http://www.facebook.com/dina.s.lopez Dina Simmons- Lopez

omg i love to see a man cry i think it shows alot about their lifes. you can tell they are really close. thanks meyers for your service and a great role model for your brother. god bless you all.
Jessica

This was beautiful. I know all to well what its like to be the one on the receiving end. God bless your family. I can only hope my 2 boys (21mths) apart grow up to be as close as you to. What a beautiful bond.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Khadijah-Hawkins/1465064073 Khadijah Hawkins

Wow, so,so beautiful and powerful! God is so beautiful to us all!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Khadijah-Hawkins/1465064073 Khadijah Hawkins

If we are blessed to raise or how a family with this much love…….we are so very,very blessed.
http://www.facebook.com/debbie.b.graham Debbie Boyett Graham

This one just moved to my all time favorite! WOW! Thanks for your service, Bailey and Meyers – I will be following you in the NBA – my all time favorite sport! Make sure mom is always taken care of because she obviously raised 2 wonderful sons!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003019496384 Joe Piasso

I can’t imagine how difficult it is to wait and worry about a loved one that has gone to another country in hostile times. I see tears of pure and utter relief.
kevin

man this really shows the love that family has. no matter what family with always be there for you. and man im leaving in a few months and im going for my sister she deserves to have a brother that can proudly fight for the country he loves. and she deserves to be safe with the help of me. these brothers are the exact brothers i wanna be but with my sister.
Thank You all of the men and women fighting you are the greatest humans around
Belle

I follow this blog every time a new video comes up, but this one got to me more than most! I sobbed my eyes out! What a bond <3
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_BOGMTQE53KFTU6BCME3OZ5C6ZM Jabroni

It’s obvious that their mom done a tremendous job raising the both of them. One son a Marine defending our great nation while the other a rising rookie out of college drafted to the NBA. This family deserves the best and I hope a lifetime of happiness for them!
http://www.facebook.com/susiesaari.riedthaler Susie Saari Riedthaler

I can imagine all the emotions and thoughts going on in Meyer – disbelief his big brother Bailey was there, relief that he is home and safe, tears of happiness and love. What a precious moment we were able to see. Thanks for sharing with us, John.
Angela Spray

This video brought tears to my eyes. I absoutly love the brotherly love and everything that a family really means. I love watching all these videos and seeing the homecomings and surprises. It shows me that what I am going through isn’t so bad that other families has it worse and can get through anything. The troops and there families are my heros.
AussieBeth

This, was beautiful What a wonderful and lucky mum you have,Stay safe both young men.
Scillapod

I seriously can’t watch this while I’m at work. I’ve been crying for an hour! I hope your game went well and thank you Bailey!
http://www.facebook.com/twolf12 Jason Bates

got to love the bond these 2 have. nothing will tear them apart. welcome home Baily. Meyers has given me a reason to watch the blazers again. All the best to your family.
Jamie

I’ve seen just about all these videos and this is the first one I’m commenting on. What an absolute beautiful video. God bless both brothers!
Morgan Sumner

this is so adorable, im glad he got to see his brother play!
Manu

<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3
http://www.facebook.com/zabbarija82 Mary KingJetta Agius

omg… tears were flowing like a river watching this 1… god bless you.
Janne

Damn you onion Ninjas!
Forg0t2

I’m from holland and all i wish to say right now is deeply respect for the love you 2 share. made me cry.
http://www.facebook.com/charlene.schonbeck Charlene Schönbeck

Everytime I watch the videos on this side I’m like: I’m not gonna cry, I’m not gonna cry, I’m not gonna – damn it…totally cried…AGAIN…But then again I mean what the hell…it just makes me so happy when they reunite with their families and loved ones so it’s totally okay to cry, even if I probably look like crap right now
Gee

I watch all of these videos and every single one of them brings me to tears. I know I’m not supposed to have favourites, and I usually don’t.. but this one will now hold a special place in my heart. This is so moving and it’s undeniable the bond these brothers share. May you both stay safe and continue to love each other as you do now. I’ll be thinking of you.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Kathy-Kelly/1569542377 Kathy Kelly

THAT was awesome!
http://www.facebook.com/janine.swabey Janine Swabey

OMG i can’t stop crying welcome home and thank you xx
http://www.facebook.com/melissa.emeryrota Melissa Emery- Rota

Who says real men dont cry? ….. Congrats to both brothers.
imjustsaying….

I just love this video…..I only pray that you two brothers will always love each other and continue to have a great relationship….God Bless both of you! I’ve only watched this video about 10 times…..Love is Love!
http://www.facebook.com/ChrisGil360NoMore Chris Gil

You can’t get more personal than two brothers :’)
Katherine

What a wonderful video. Brought me to tears.
http://www.facebook.com/jean.simmons.315 Jean Simmons

Beautiful! Beautiful! Beautiful! Thank you Marine! Thank you to Myers and your Mom!! STRONG LOVING FAMILY!!!
dadatwork

What an awesome piece. Pure Unabashed love between brothers. We need more men like this. I appreciate your service!
Paul UK

Meyers and Bailey….. All I can say is that your Dad must be looking down on you both with such pride.
Keep safe guys, look after each other and your mom.
SBlonstein

This truly shows us what the power of family is all about. They are lucky to have each other. We are lucky to have seen this.
http://www.facebook.com/darian.caplinger Darian A. Caplinger

I have often heard the phrase, “Real men don’t cry.” To that, I can only say… only a weak man would have to hide his emotions. A real man doesn’t hide them, because they are a part of being human.

I applaud these boys, and the dedication, sacrifice and commitment they have made to themselves, their teams and our Country.
http://www.facebook.com/katherine.p.dunlap Katherine Pepper Dunlap

This one is my favorite. Such a strong bond between these brothers.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=686257415 Allyne 父 Langley

Stunning video. Thankyou for your service from one who served in a different country (UK) but feel the love to my other ‘Brothers in Arms’.
Jessy

Nothing like brotherly love. God bless this Marine and his brother.
http://www.facebook.com/crystal.stembridge Crystal Stembridge

This very awesome
Alishah Momin

I watched this 12 times and I cried every time
Alishah Momin

GOOSEBUMPS AND TEARS!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Sarah-Elizabeth-Potter/100002260391957 Sarah Elizabeth Potter

God Bless you i loved this
JB

So nice, family is so important. Best wishes Sir and thank you for all you do, God Bless…
hannahh_

Not gonna lie, this made me cry like a baby.
tosha

Amazing such a beautiful story bought me to tears
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=635279041 Sarah Audrey Garcia

I have a Big Little Brother, too! He is my HERO and blessed that he is back from 4 tours to the Middle East. This is an amazing video and well done! “I’m so glad you’re here.” Meyers says to his brother before the video ends. PRICELESS! No better words could be spoken!
Clayford

This is totally a tear dropper. What an amazing experience to work hard for loved ones. Their mom must be so proud of her sons. Amazing story for people who really works hard for their future.
http://www.facebook.com/Daika69 Angela Daika Shilts

Absolutely love this one. Pulls at your heart string with the story that they tell. Thank you for you service
nathan

This is the Definition of LOVE & Family.
Greeting from Germany !
http://www.facebook.com/michelle.brummett.718 Michelle Brummett

Wonderful inspiring moment! Thanks for sharing and reminding us how beautiful love and life can be, no matter how hard the journey was.
MJ

Wow mom did good. fine young men respecting their family bonds
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=514864035 Andrew James Hope

You don’t need any words to see how much love they have for each other. It shows straight away stay safe
S.Rambo

made me cry. so beautiful. he best to you both
http://www.facebook.com/hghere Heather Deanna Ghere

AWE! Look how much taller than he is compared to his big brother…WOW! lol This was really sweet and touching. Made my night.
http://www.facebook.com/holly.jeanne.14 Holly Jeanne Estell

Precious!

Subscribe

U.S. Marine Surprises His Brother During University of Illinois Basketball Practice