'Don't Cry, Baby': DeKalb Soldier Dad Surprises Daughters

Christmas and a birthday gift were all rolled into one tearful celebration for a family whose Army dad -- gone for nine months -- surprised his daughters with his homecoming.

Lt. Col. Chris Kemper was deployed to Afghanistan in January. On Thursday he delivered an American flag to his daughters’ school, surprising the two DeKalb County girls. Ellis, 8, and her sister, Mafra, 5, were asked to raise the flag at Globe Academy in honor of their father’s birthday, but the ceremony ended in joyful tears when Kemper stepped up in person as students sang the national anthem.

Kemper, who serves in the Army National Guard, told WSB TV that what he missed most during his time overseas was simple: His family.

As both girls twined their arms around Dad’s neck to hold on tight he kissed them and whispered, “Don’t cry baby.”

The separation was hard on everyone, said his wife, Molly Fortune.

“When we left it was kind of traumatic. I think there was a finality that came with it that they didn’t understand,” Kemper told 11Alive.

His wife, Molly Fortune, said sharing their family’s separation and return with the larger school community was a lesson for all.

“It’s amazing to have that family connection. It was important we share this. He’s doing this for the country, and that’s what we do,” Fortune told WSB.

»Screenshot from WSB TV video of Lt. Col. Chris Kemper with his daughters.