Cranberry Elementary student gets a surprise in time
for the holidays with happy return of her military dad
But Cora's certificate was a little different.
"Certificate of appreciation awarded to Welcome Home Dad. Thank you for your service to our country," she read without flinching or really letting the words she was reading sink in. She then looked ahead at her friends in the class when someone told her to turn around.
Standing behind her was her dad - U.S. Army Sgt.Trevor Hays, who has been deployed since the day after Christmas last year. For the next half hour they couldn't let go of each other.
Horner arranged the "Veterans Day" program for Cora's class to facilitate the reunion and to allow the Knox American Legion to present a short Veterans Day program. The plan worked and all the youngsters in the room got to experience the surprise alongside Cora.
And the class was able to participate in an assembly to learn about veterans and witness the happiness of one of their own getting to see her dad after almost a year.
"I couldn't tell you, there were too many things going on" Trevor said, himself a bit overwhelmed. He had admitted being nervous moments before the reunion.
The two may have been speechless about their reunion, but they were both very happy to be together.
All the while Cora reacted by hugging her dad tighter.
But for now he is home.