Daughter in Tears When Dad Deployed in Iraq Surprises Her for Graduation
Graduating from high school is a big deal for teenagers and their families. It signals the end of about 13 years of primary education and the start of students getting to pursue whatever dream they choose.
These dreams can be going on to study at college, starting a new job, or even going to a trade school.
No matter what, a graduation is a big event, and when a loved one is missing from the ceremony, their absence can be felt in the heart of their graduate.
Americas High School senior Tyrae Collins was prepared to face the absence of her father from her El Paso, Texas, high school graduation.
Her dad, U.S. Army Capt. Michael Collins, was currently serving a seven-month deployment in Iraq. He has served in the military for 15 years, and his family was used to dealing with the emotional stress of deployment.
“I wasn’t expected to come home for at least nine months,” Capt. Collins told KTSM.
But Capt. Collins had a surprise in store. He had gotten permission from his superiors to go home to see his daughter graduate.
“It’s pretty important what we’re doing in Iraq too so they had to weigh that and finally they decided that they could let us go for a week or so to come,” he said.
Welcome home Capt. Michael Collins, thank you for your service! https://t.co/JhpYWUHkRn
— Patricia Ferdinand-Cuevas (@Americas_HS) June 2, 2018
Tyrae Collins was at her graduation rehearsal when it happened. “Just sitting there, getting ready for rehearsal and I hear my principal giving a speech. And then I heard my dad’s name announced.”
In tears, Tyrae and her two siblings hurried to the center of the gym to hug their dad.
“I’m really excited. I didn’t expect him to be here at all. When I saw him I was overwhelmed,” Tyrae said. “It was the best graduation gift I could receive.”
Capt. Collins said he is really proud of his daughter who “has worked so hard her entire life.”
“I’m so proud of you baby, I knew you’d do it, and you’re going to go on and become even more and do bigger and brighter things,” he told his daughter. “I love you so much, baby.”
What a wonderful surprise for this military family. Thank you Capt. Collins for your service!
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