ORANGE GROVE, Texas — Two siblings were reunited with their father Monday at Orange Grove Primary School. It was a big surprise since their father had been on U.S. Navy deployment for the last eight months.
Monday was the start of Dr. Seuss Day at the primary school. Students filed into the cafeteria for a special assembly and the school band performed to pump kids up for story time.
Among those attending the assembly were first-graders Kyron and Karina. What they didn't realize is that their father, Chief Petty Officer Brandon Collier, was just feet away waiting in the wings.
"I'm excited to see them," Collier said. "Haven't seen them in eight months."
After deployment with the U.S. Navy took Collier half a world away to the Western Pacific on the USS Essex, he is finally home for a while.
"The last time I talked to them, having fun with their cousins, want me to come back. Couldn't give them time," Collier said. "But today is the day."
Collier's children were able to get a shock of a lifetime and as the assembly began, Kyron noticed a familiar voice reading a Dr. Seuss story.
It wasn't until after story time that the big moment would finally happen, and Collier walked into the room giving his kids big hugs.
It was an emotional moment for Collier's wife, Jessica, who had been working with the school for a while.
"The kids have been waiting for these two weeks. A lot of family time, reuniting. Not easy when the family has been separated. Just a lot of bonding time," Jessica said.
"It just feels good to come home to a family and school that cares about the veterans and people out there making sacrifices," Collier said. "My family had to make sacrifices as well."
The homecoming will be short-lived because Collier is only home for two weeks before his next deployment.
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