Afghanistan Marine Surprises Son at Kindergarten Graduation - 9&10 News
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For the first time in months, a Northern Michigan kindergartner was able to leave his Mount Pleasant school hand-in-hand with his dad, who just returned from Afghanistan. News reported by 9&10 News' Meredith Barack.
The Story
A northern Michigan kindergartner left his graduation tonight with more than just a diploma.
For the first time in months, he was able to leave his Mount Pleasant school hand-in-hand with his dad, who just returned from Afghanistan.
No matter how many times we see these types reunions, you can't help but get emotional.
There wasn't a dry eye in that gymnasium tonight, and you're about to see why.
"Just happy, jitters, haven't seen him in a while..."
Nerves aren't an uncommon feeling when you're waiting in the principal's office, but this time the nerves were for a good reason.
"Just happy to be home, surprise my son."
It was November when Staff Sergeant Gary Hollowell last saw his son, Jerimiah.
"The last time I talked to him, I told him I was coming home the end of July, beginning of August."
You can see Jerimiah, sitting patiently, waiting for his turn to graduate, when Principal Lisa Bergman reveals he was getting something better than a diploma.
In comes Staff Sgt. Hollowell, surprising Jerimiah, and telling him, "I told you I was coming back."
The whole surprise left Jerimiah pretty much speechless.
9 & 10 News asked Jerimiah, "Are you just totally in shock right now?" His answer, "Yes."
After the shock of his homecoming, it will be time to make plans for the summer.
A summer Jerimiah and Aya didn't think they'd spend with their dad.
"Do you want to go to the zoo?" asked Staff Sgt. Hollowell, "Yeah, zoo!" Aya replied excitedly, "Okay, we'll go to the zoo."
Jerimiah says he won't remember this day as the day he graduated kindergarten, but as something even better.
"The day dad came home."
And to add to this happy reunion, Staff Sergeant Hollowell says as of now, he's home for good.
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