Hillsborough Veteran Gets Epic Welcome Home Parade: Video

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Hillsborough husband, father and Army Lt. Colonel Rob Movshin was given the surprise of his life when he was welcomed home by a parade full of family, friends and community members that practiced social distancing amid the new coronavirus outbreak. (Watch the videos of the parade and arrival below)

"He was very surprised," said Rob's wife, Diane Movshin. "I think for the first time in a long time he was speechless."

Movshin had been serving overseas in Kosovo for the past nine months with the Army National Guard. Due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, he was unable to return straight home and instead had to be quarantined in New Mexico for two weeks.

"It was interesting. Being quarantined in the military is easier than in civilian life as we are used to following rules, having structure and we were in the middle of a desert," Rob Movshin said.

Movshin noted how the soldiers all worked together and would constantly clean and disinfect. To pass the time they would walk and played games.

"Our games of Uno would get fairly competitive," Rob Movshin said with a laugh.

The hardest part was being away from his wife and three boys, Noah (age 18), Adam (age 15) and Brody (age 5) during the outbreak.

"I was ecstatic to be home. It was a long time to be away from my family, for far too long especially during this pandemic," Rob Movshin said. "All you can think of is your family's safety, yours is secondary."

Diane had reached out to some friends and family to try and get a parade of cars for Rob's return on Saturday. The response exploded.

"I didn’t realize the magnitude of [Hillsborough]," Diane Movshin said. "I thought it was just going to be a couple of cars and a few neighbors."

Instead, the Movshin family was surprised to find signs of support lining their street, a huge sign donated by Card My Yard on their front lawn, a very long line of cars decorated with flags and signs, police cars and fire trucks with their lights and sirens on, and even a helicopter.

Township officials including Mayor Doug Tomson, Frank DelCore and Shawn Lipani also made an appearance.

The family was blown away by their community's outreach and most importantly the Movshin's children were happy to have their dad home.

Rob Movshin had promised his son Brody, who turns 6 years old on April 22, that he would be home for his birthday.

"He did not disappoint," Diane Movshin said. "All Brody wanted for his birthday was his daddy. Well that and Legos and a Happy Meal."

Video by Thomas Greco:

Video by Diane Movshin:

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