Metro 5th Grader Surprised By Army Dad's Homecoming At School

One of Oklahoma's finest is back home for a big surprise. It all happened at a metro school during a special ceremony.

Friday, November 9th 2012, 5:55 pm

By: News 9


One of Oklahoma's finest is back home for a big surprise. It all happened at a metro school during a special ceremony.

A 5th grader truly got the surprise of his life when his Army dad, who hasn't seen him in more than a year, returned to see him Friday.

Adrian Williams got to school Friday at Schwartz Elementary, in the Mid-Del school district. He went with his classmates to their Veterans Day assembly. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, until the moment Adrian saw his dad, who's been serving overseas. It was a special reunion that was long overdue.

Hundreds of kids honored those who've served at Schwartz Elementary.

While most schools have Veterans Day assemblies, this one had a big surprise in store for Williams. Army Staff Sgt. Harold Williams has been stationed overseas in Germany, he's been deployed to Iraq, and hasn't seen his son in nearly two years.

"He's sprouted up," Sgt. Williams says, "Before he was a little bit shorter, a little bit stouter, now he's almost taller than me."

Adrian's whole school was in on the surprise. He had no idea his dad was coming home until he heard his principal saying they had a special guest there for their assembly.

"I was hoping it was him. I crossed my fingers when they said he was a sergeant from Germany and Iraq. I was hoping it was him," Adrian said.

Every time Sgt. Williams has been home to see Adrian, it's been only for a short time.

"I would tell him, ‘Don't worry about me, I'm coming back,'" Sgt. Williams said.

He's back on this day that's about one thing, catching up with Adrian.

"It's thrilling," Adrian says, "I like it a lot."

"Whatever he wants to do, this is his day," Sgt. Williams said.

They have a lot of catching up to do.

Sgt. Williams said this year will be the first time he'll be home for Thanksgiving in years.

He's now stationed in Ft. Hood, Texas, and has plans to retire from the Army soon.

Students at Schwartz Elementary honored local veterans Friday with a special breakfast before school as part of their annual Veterans Day celebration.

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