Morning Express with Robin Meade

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Shameka McCloud of the 335^th Signal Command in East Point, Georgia is a hard-working soldier, and devoted mom of a teenage daughter.  Given those qualifications we asked her to be a guest on Morning Express with Robin Meade to speak about her military experience... but here's the catch... there was no interview. This was a "Stories of Courage: The Give Back" makeover ambush!

We isolated SSG McCloud in a room and told her a producer would be coming up to walk her down to Studio H for her interview... but instead HLN's Robin Meade walked in with camera crew and surprised McCloud with a special day of pampering.

Every week leading up to Veterans Day, HLN has been recognizing the dedication of American service members in our "Stories of Courage: The Give Back" series.

On Friday, Natasha Curry welcomed Staff Sgt. Clay Ragsdale onto the Morning Express set.  He served in the Georgia National Guard for seven years. In 2009, Staff Sgt. Ragsdale was injured by shrapnel in Afghanistan, while serving with the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.  Now, he helps provide honors during military funerals at the Georgia National Guard's Joint Force Headquarters.

Richard Sisk joined the military when he was just 17, two weeks after he graduated high school.  He served in the Army for four years, including a deployment to Afghanistan in 2006.  But then, he decided it was time for a change.

Richard went back to school, eventually transferring to Kennesaw State University in Georgia, to get his degree in sports management and communication.  Even with a full class schedule, he found time to work at the university’s Veterans Resource Center, helping other vets like him navigate their transition to civilian life.

Meghan Davies has been dating Army 2^nd Lt. Gary Hurst for three years. She moved with him to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, about four months ago to support his military career.  

Meghan thought she was coming on HLN’s Morning Express with Robin Meade Wednesday to salute her boyfriend for his service to the country. 

Marine Cpl. Mark O’Brien was one of the favorites in the archery competition at this year’s Warrior Games in Colorado Springs. That may not seem like a surprise when you learn that he grew up bow hunting in upstate New York -- but it’s incredible when you find out that he shoots his bow and arrow with just one arm. 

O’Brien was inspired to join the military after 9/11 and went off to boot camp at 19. He was part of the first invasion in Iraq and then returned to Ramadi for a second tour in 2004. That’s where his world changed forever.  

Sean Aikman was one of the last troops to return home from Iraq. His loving wife, Amanda, and his two sons have endured his absence during birthdays, a wedding anniversary, and through the struggles of daily life. 

Watch as he and his family experience an emotional homecoming. And learn how the Aikmans adjusting to being back together now that dad is home.  

Morning Express anchor Robin Meade sits down with wounded serviceman, Army Sgt. Delvin Maston, to talk about how his life has changed since being injured and how being a participant at the 2012 Warrior Games in Colorado Springs helps him cope.

Maston tells Meade that it was an especially big change when he lost right leg in June of 2009 because athletics were and are a big part of his life. But being around the other "wounded warriors" in Colorado Springs for this event helps him come to grips with what he calls his, "new normal."