Celebration Gets Better When Brother Stationed In Texas Makes a Surprise Visit for Graduation

By Gerri Miller

Staff Writer

When Ramona Taylor’s son Mason walked across the stage at his Prattville High School (PHS) graduation today, she didn’t clap. She didn’t yell any attaboys. Ramona Taylor screamed.

It was a scream you could hear across the gym and in the surrounding rooms.  It wasn’t a scream motivated by fear, but by surprise. Standing on the stage was not one of her sons but two.

Mason’s older brother Malik Taylor, 23, just recently graduated from Air Force basic training and security classes. He won the top award in his class. He has been stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio Texas for the past six months.  Ramona said he told her he had to report immediately to his new base in Warner Robbins, Ga. She said he would be quarantined for two weeks once he arrived at the new base.

“I just felt like he wouldn’t be here,” she said. But she said Malik then started asking questions about graduation and she wondered if it was because he planned to be there. “I really had no clue, though,” she said.

Mason, 18, said he got very emotional when he saw his brother. There were lots of hugs. He said he and Malik are not only brothers, but also close friends. Before today, he had not seen his brother in three months. “I miss him a whole lot,” Malik said.

Mason won’t be much farther away from his brother in the fall or whenever schools open back up. He plans to attend Miles College in Fairfield and major in sports marketing. He was a linebacker for the Prattville Lions and a senior captain. He was also one of two Buffalo Rock/Pepsi Co-Players of the Year.

His grandmother Delando Taylor said Malik’s surprise appearance at graduation tested her in a different way. “I know today that I have a very strong heart,” she said. “I don’t have to get a physical to know this. Malik tested it for me!”

Malik can only stay in town for a day before he must move on to Warner Robbins. The family had celebration plans for tomorrow, but they were changed to today so that Malik can take part in the festivities.

When asked what they planned to do, both young men said they wanted to eat. Grandma Delando said there will be lots of food involved with the celebration, but not at any local restaurant.

“I am the restaurant,” Delando said with a smile.