The Kennedy family's beloved Auburn Tigers didn't come away with a win Saturday, but they will never forget Sept. 3 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Airman First Class Cameron Kennedy has been stationed at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey for the last 11 months. He was supposed to be home on leave and attend Auburn's game against Clemson with father Dewayne, mother Carleen and brother Jordan.

However, Cameron was held up in Turkey due to a passport issue and could not attend the game. Cameron then improvised and did the next best thing.

The Kennedys were surprised just before halftime with a personal message from Cameron on Jordan-Hare's gigantic Jumbotron video board.

"I love y'all," Cameron said as Carleen clasped her hands over her face in surprise when he appeared on the big screen. "I'm sorry I couldn't be there for the first game but I will be there soon. The sacrifices you guys make on the home front are the same sacrifices, -- if not more, than we make over here. I'm sorry I couldn't see the game with y'all in person, but I know this video will mean a lot to y'all and will mean a lot to the friends I have attending the University."

Airman First Class Cameron Kennedy, stationed in Turkey, surprised his family on the JHS video board . #WarEagle pic.twitter.com/s1YG4kbj6s — Auburn Tigers (@AuburnTigers) September 4, 2016

Carleen Kennedy said the video message provided comfort for the family.

"It was a very welcome and needed surprise," she said.

Cameron is a 2014 graduate of Headland High School. Carleen Kennedy said Cameron contacted Auburn University when he learned he would not be coming home for the game to see if the video message could be arranged. The Kennedys already planned to attend the game, but a representative from Auburn called the family and said the school was offering free tickets for area military families just to make sure they would be there.

The video message appeared with six minutes remaining in the second quarter. The crowd noise reduced when Cameron was talking and cheered loudly at the end.

"It was said it took Cameron to silence 87,000 people," Carleen said. "We just can't thank Auburn enough. It was just a wonderful, magical time."

Carleen said their seats were in the visitors' section, just a few rows away from the Clemson band.

"The Clemson fans were so nice to us. They cheered Cameron along with us and were very encouraging," she said.

Cameron is now scheduled to come home next week for a 30-day leave.

LANCE GRIFFIN, The Dothan Eagle