A 2-year-old boy was the ticket home for a Lebanese family from Bayville escaping war-torn Beirut.

Sandra Bousleiman says her toddler son Joey was the family?s lucky charm after fighting broke out during a vacation in her native land. Little Joey was the only family member born in the United States, and therefore was the only one with a U.S. passport. Sandra Bousleiman says Joey got his family into the State Department evacuation, which eventually led them to Cypress and a military flight home.

Family members say they were amazed at the thousands of people fleeing Lebanon. They say they are grateful to be back on American soil, but add they are concerned for loved ones still in the Middle East.