Airman John Grieten is a military dad who has been working abroad in Southwest Asia for the past six months.
Grieten is a member of the 166th Airlift Wing of the Delaware Air National Guard, and he has spent his time in the Middle East serving in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. He left behind his 15-year-old son Joshua, 11-year-old daughter Jessica, and his wife Cheryl, who is the children’s step-mother. Joshua, who suffers from down syndrome, is student in the Reach program at Newark High School in Delaware. And Jessica is a fifth-grader who attends Downes Elementary School.
When dad returned home, he decided not to tell his children and to surprise them instead. First, Grieten went to Joshua’s school, and after a few moments of standing directly behind his son, dad finally asked Joshua, “Can I sit there?”
Joshua shouted,”Daddy,”and threw his arms around him in excitement.
The whole room began clapping, and then Joshua stood up to do something very appropriate.
He addresses the whole room and says, “Everybody, this is my dad! I missed my dad so much.”
The proud father hugs his son, and then they are off to surprise Jessica at her school. Grieten made his way into the cafeteria where his daughter was having lunch, and stuck in the door behind her. As soon as Jessica sees her dad, she jumps up in excitement.
Gritted told Newark Post that he was thrilled to be united with his kids.
“There’s no comparison,” he said. “I’ve been Skyping with them for six months, but there’s nothing like re-establishing the physical bond between parent and child.”
Watch their heartwarming reunion below and please SHARE it with your friends and family on Facebook!
[Featured Image Credit: YouTube- Military Surprises]
Tear-Jerking Moment Military Dad Surprises His Son With Down Syndrome is an article from: LifeDaily