Huntington Marine surprises parents

HUNTINGTON, Ind. (WANE) - A free dinner at Applebee's was the disguise to surprise the parents of Marine Cpl. Nicholas Middaugh who came home for good from the Marine Corps.

"It's been about four years, and I'm just excited to surprise my parents," said Middaugh.

Nicholas has toured 12 different countries overseas. He's a 2008 graduate of Huntington North High School. He said he played football and was injured. He knew a friend joined the Marines and decided he wanted to enlist.

Dawn Blubaugh, Middaugh's neighbor, was behind planning the surprise. She had told Nicholas' parents that she had won a free dinner for four and wanted to invite them.

He knew exactly what his mother's reaction would be when he walked through the doors and greeted them.

"Mom will be excited, tears coming down the face, it will be exciting," he said.

When he approached the table, he said, "Why didn't you invite me?" His father and mother immediately stood up and hugged him.

"When I first time seen him standing there, I didn't think it was actually him," said Nicholas' mother, Brenda. "But then when I noticed it was him, I was very happy."

Nicholas said he plans to find a job. He said he doesn't mind working on cars.