The Associated Press

FRANKLIN - A Marine private from this southwest Ohio town missed his first wedding anniversary because he was in boot camp and now was missing his second anniversary while serving in Iraq.

So William Fitzpatrick, 23, wanted to do something special for his wife, Jennifer, 22.

With the help of his father, Ray Fitzpatrick of Springboro, the Marine hired an aircraft service to fly a banner over the home in Franklin where his wife and son live.

The banner proclaimed in large words, "I love you Jennifer from Ray in Iraq."

On Tuesday, the Marine's father drove over to Jennifer's home and invited her and little son, Hunter, 2, to walk down the street to a nearby park.

Jennifer said on Thursday she didn't have a clue anything was up.

"Then we heard this noise, this plane, and we looked up and there it was - a big banner. When I saw the last three words, Ray in Iraq,' I got chills all over and knew right then what it was."

Jennifer's father-in-law said after the plane flew over, and he made attempts to get some photos to send to his son, he left Jennifer and Hunter alone in the park.

"When I drove away, I looked back and her head was bent over and she was in tears," he said. "She is so brave, going on and taking care of things while Ray is off fighting the terrorists in Iraq."