KILLEEN, TX — Two fathers serving their country overseas pulled off a surprise homecoming for their children in Killeen.
Chief Warrant Officer Marcus Barnes decided to surprise his daughter Kiersten at the sweetheart dance hosted by Haynes Elementary School. Barnes has been deployed for the past nine months.
“This is actually the first time...me being away from my daughter for this long. It’s special to me, I know it’s going to be special to her,” said Barnes.
He wanted to create a lasting memory of his return.
While Kiersten, 7, enjoyed the dance, the DJ called her to the front. He said she had won a prize. From behind the auditorium curtain, her father appeared.
“Daddy!” Kiersten exclaimed.
The two hugged, as Barnes handed his daughter a bouquet of roses. The two dance and twirled while the crowd watched the joyous reunion.
“She’s my sweetheart. She’s my only child. She’s my angel and she’s the reason I do what I do day in, day out,” said Barnes.
But this wasn’t the only surprise reunion on Thursday.
Sergeant Johnathan Perez Olivieri surprised his two sons at their schools. He arrived home from Germany and has not seen his family since May.
While deployments can be difficult, creating memories like these last forever.
