Air Force sergeant returns early, surprises daughter

San Antonio Express ^ | 6/5/2009 | Matt Woolbright

[Pyro7480]

Air Force Master Sgt. Joseph Myers had only one wish while in the desert sands of Iraq: Get home before the end of his daughter's fourth-grade year.

It almost didn't happen. Almost.

On Thursday, the next-to-last day of class at Randolph Elementary School, the airman's wish came true.

An emotional Myers, still dressed in his brown-and-tan fatigues, surprised his daughter in her class, returning from a year in Iraq nine days before his tour ended.

Hannah Eschrig's jaw dropped and she began crying as her father lifted her into an embrace. Several minutes passed as the hug continued before Hannah could even speak.

“It was the culmination of 350 days of waiting to be back with my daughter and family,” said Myers, 41. “I missed an entire fourth-grade year. My goal was to be back before her final day so I could say I was there; it was awesome.”

The Air Force informed Myers of his early return a few weeks ago, and when his wife told a coworker, the idea of a surprise was born. To make it happen, Tami Myers worked with the public affairs department at Randolph AFB and with the school, which serves the children of military parents, many of whom are deployed in combat zones and elsewhere overseas....

[Pyro7480]

See the video at the link. As some might say in response, "Dang blurry screen."

[Jet Jaguar]

BTTT

[pillut48]

These kinds of stories ALWAYS make my screen/monitor blurry—danged if I know why!

[sniffles happily at happy ending]

:-)

[r9etb]

Didn’t even need the video for my monitor to malfunction...

[IrishMike]

A beautiful story................

[Sarajevo]

These kinds of stories ALWAYS make my screen/monitor blurry

And I thought I was the only one having monitor issues;)

[SouthDixie]

*Tissue Alert*
Glad dad made it home safely.

[svcw]

I hate when my computer screen melts.

[DoughtyOne]

Very nice...

[nuconvert]

omg, the look on her face........

http://www.mysanantonio.com/videos/en/?bctid=25329763001

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“Didn’t even need the video for my monitor to malfunction...”

Hey! Mine, too. Some virus must be going around. ;) *SNIF*

Thanks, Pyro! :)

Even after arranging and attending ‘so-many-I’ve-lost-count’ soldier/family reunions after Operation Desert Storm, these stories NEVER get old!

[Carley]

Do you think the video emits something to make me cry!!!!

And emits something that causes throat lumps!!!!!

Thank you sir, for your service to our country.

[pandemoniumreigns]

Too cool for school...

What an awsome reunion...((;O)

[John123]

and putting makeup on him.”

A blushing Myers said he's just happy to be home with his family.

Awesome vid... and oh-oh... the secret is out... I wonder how Air Force Master Sgt. Joseph Myers is gonna live that one down when he gets back...

[noexcuses]

Priceless!

(along with waterproof mascara)

[rbbeachkid]

Our Armed Service people are sooooo awesome!

[Fester Chugabrew]

Wow! BTTT!

[DTogo]

Ya gotta love these stories!

[kate in carolina]

So sweet! Thanks for sharing.

[ElayneJ]

Sweet, sweet video. :)

[bikerman]

What is this saline solution coming from my eyes???

[SandRat]

Grab your tissies as you may need them.

[ConorMacNessa]

Monitor all blurry.

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[Jemian]

That’s an affirmative.

[MEG33]

God bless them.

[fanfan]

That was great!

Thanks for posting Pyro, and the ping Sandy.

Bump!

[rawhide]

My monitor is all fuzzy looking now. wow!

[huldah1776]

My tissue box is already empty. Wonderful story, thank you!

[Monkey Face]

Wow. Ir syre messed up mu miniter..*snif*

[freekitty]

That was so neat, Sand Rat. Thanks.

[tioga]

all the talk about the last day of school this year......get yer hankies ready.

sorry Gabz, video, the story will make you tear up as well...

[NonValueAdded]

Yep, it totally blurs our right after she gives her dad a fierce hug. God Bless them and all who worked hard to make that happen.

[God luvs America]

bump this forever...this is a keeper....I kept hitting replay time after time after time...

[MozartLover]

Thanks for the ping.

I love a story with a happy ending....and I needed one today.