SukritiA Tearful Reunion
Maroney and LeShay reunited and hugged each other and both were unable to hold back their tears. The Sergeant later said in an interview, “if not for her hug and her smile on that day, my life would probably be a lot different.” Hence he was so grateful to the producers of the TV show to help him meet her and that this meant so much to him.
Mother Recalls The Rescue
LeShay’s mother, Shantrell Brown, said in an interview, “I was crying because I was scared.” She recalls that it was the first time ever that she was in a helicopter and scared. LeShay stayed silent and comfortable even in the helicopter. Maroney and Shantrell both said the same thing about LeShay that the girl wasn’t frightened at all.
LeShay’s Mother Tells All
Shantrell who had 5 children with her recalled the moment in an interview, “the helicopter had open doors, so I looked out and you could just see all the water over everything, and it was just too much for me, so she [LeShay] was comforting me.” She was horrified by the thought if anything goes wrong with her children.
Always Special
In an interview, Shantrell told, “I’d already known she was special from that day. But when I heard him say that on the show, he was saying she was his hero after everything he’d done. Until he said that about LeShay and her smile and hug, I never knew that could mean so much to a person.” Indeed, there was something amazing about this girl.
A Wish Come True
Maroney waited for this moment from the time he was first handed this picture. Finally, the day arrived and he felt like he’s on the seventh cloud. He “dreamt of this day for a long time,” he added, “finding you guys, and knowing you’re okay, has been a weight off my back.” He met the whole Brown family and was relieved to see that they were doing fine after the disaster.
A Dream Fulfilled
Maroney always wished that whenever he meets the Brown family he could gift them with something as a favor that they did to him unknowingly. The show producers presented a cheque for $10,000 and a car but she said no to the offer as she knew it was Maroney who actually deserved a gift. Maroney and LeShay’s bonding wasn’t just for the show but Maroney went on to meet the Brown family in Mississippi with his two sons.