Passengers Help Soldier Propose in Houston Airport

May 31, 2011— -- A soldier returning from Iraq proposed to his girlfriend in Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, with a little help from his fellow airline passengers.

Each passenger brought a single rose to Army Lt. George Dalton's girlfriend, Lauren Raabe, while she was waiting in the baggage claim area for him. Finally, as Raabe struggled to hold the growing bouquet, Dalton came from behind a small group of revelers accompanying the group and greeted his girlfriend with a kiss.

After giving her the remainder of the huge bouquet of red roses, Dalton told her he had something else for her -- and got down on one knee.

"I don't really know what to say," said Dalton. "Will you marry me?"

Raabe smiled and immediately said yes.

Dalton coordinated the plan with his parents in Houston over Skype while he was in Iraq. When he got on the plane, he asked the flight attendants to help him carry it out.

"They were really helpful," said Dalton to ABC affiliate KTRK. "They made an announcement and asked for everybody to take a rose and bring it down here to the baggage carousel and she'd be here."

He said the planning kept him on edge.

"I've been nervous for the past couple of hours," said Dalton. "I haven't been able to eat or think about anything else."

Dalton is home for two weeks from a tour in Iraq. The couple said they would marry when he completes his tour, which should be in a few months.