Posted on 06/12/2009 3:14:44 PM PDT by BenLurkin
LANCASTER [California] - The end of the school year is often marked by classroom celebrations, barbecues, talent shows and field day events.
Bethel Christian preschool students play in a Dad's T-Ball tournament each spring because "fathers aren't as involved during the year and we want them to be a part of their children's activities," said classroom teacher Janice Zark.
This year's game, held Wednesday on the softball field behind the school, included a special guest, Army Staff Sgt. Todd Usack , who arrived at Los Angeles International Airport on Tuesday afternoon from his second tour overseas, then drove in early Wednesday morning to attend the game.
His daughter, 5-year-old Ashlynn , was not expecting her father to join her on the field. Her grandfather, Pete Chmielewski had offered to fill the position while his son-in-law was serving in Afghanistan.
"I've been practicing running," Ashlynn said, before the game. "My dad's not going to be here - he's fighting the war in Afghanistan. My grandpa runs super-duper fast."
As the students lined up to go out to the field, Ashlynn stood in line wearing a blue T-shirt with her last name printed on the back and carrying a bright pink-flowered baseball glove in her hands.
When she walked through the entryway to her classroom, she saw her father standing by the door. Transfixed, it took Ashley a split second to run to her father's open arms and be swept into a giant hug.
As the tall soldier dressed in desert camouflage utilities hugged his daughter and showered her face with kisses, Ashlynn's mother videotaped the moment.
(Excerpt) Read more at avpress.com ...
"HOME-FRONT HUG - Ashlynn, 5, right, gets pulled in for a hug Wednesday from her father, Army Staff Sgt. of the 101st Airborne, at her school when he surprised her by showing up for the Dads' Day T-Ball game at Bethel Christian School. Usack is back from his second tour in Afghanistan and is about to be deployed on his third." MOLLY HAUXWELL/Valley Press
These reunion stories always make me cry.
Stupid laptop, monitor’s all blurry.
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