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A local father surprised his daughter at school after being deployed for about a year. U.S. Army Sgt. Brian Campbell has been in the service for 12 years. He’s been on his most recent deployment since Oct. 1, 2016, in Kuwait, said his wife, Carmela Campbell. He was scheduled to originally come home in November, but that changed and Brian and his wife thought it would be the perfect opportunity to surprise their daughter, Vincenza. While Vincenza ate lunch with the other second-graders at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, her father waited on the other side of the gym behind the divider curtain. (Megan Schuller)
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“We have a special guest who hasn’t seen somebody in a really long time. That special guest is here today to see that special person,” Principal Kristen Smith said before she raised the curtain to reveal Brian in uniform standing there with flowers and a balloon. Vincenza ran into her father’s arms as the teachers and classmates clapped and cheered. “It feels great to be with her, to be back here,” Brian said as he held his daughter. The second-grader didn’t leave her father’s arms. Vincenza said she was glad to have her dad home and shared what she wants them to do together first. (Megan Schuller)
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“I want to look for a puppy,” she said. Her mother, Carmela, said the family plans to visit Brian’s dad in Tennessee and visit a puppy shop since Vincenza been counting down how many days until her father comes home so “daddy can get her a puppy.” (Megan Schuller)
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Principal Smith and other staff members were involved in the planning of it. “We’re happy to have her get this opportunity,” Smith said. Since Brian has been in for a day and half already, it took a lot of planning to keep it a surprise, Carmela said. (Megan Schuller)
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“The anticipation was killing us to tell her, but her face made it totally worth it,” Carmela said. “It’s amazing to have him home. “Especially with a kid, it hard having him away. It’s like you’re always missing something. Every time you leave the house, it’s like you’re forgetting something, but it’s him not being there. Now it’s like a completion, everything is back together.” (Megan Schuller)
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Theresa Miller, Brian’s mother, said she was happy her son was home safe. “It’s very special. I’m grateful,” Miller said. Brain admitted he was nervous about the surprise, but excited too. “I couldn’t wait to get here,” Brian said, looking down at his daughter in his arms. (Provided photo)