Red Dirt Diaries: Coast Guard Officer Surprises Son At School

Coast Guard Petty Officer Paul Turner knows the dangers of the high seas. His helicopter crew stationed in Florida has been on several life-saving missions.

But his latest mission at Jefferson Elementary in Norman had him feeling a little anxious. Everything had to go just right.

“It means a lot. He's my best friend,” Turner said.

And he's Paul's son, who he hadn't seen in three long months.

“He's been asking about me ... I think every day, from what I've been told,” said Turner.

What Paul or the other Turner hadn't told Carson was that dad was going to surprise him on his sixth birthday.

He flew all night back from deployment, but it was those final few minutes that felt like forever.

“We just miss hanging out with each other,” he said.

Inside the classroom, an inquisitive Carson looked on as we spotted the blue stamp he got at school because he was the birthday boy.

Moments later, a specially-delivered present arrived.

“Daddy?” Carson asked with a smile.

Paul's timing was perfect.

Next, classmates encouraged Carson to open his gift.

“Oh,” Carson said with excitement. “Baseball stuff!”

No kid ever forgets the day he gets his first baseball glove. But that day, you couldn't blame Carson for holding on to something else.

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