Nassau Soldier Surprises His Kids At School With His Return

A special gathering took place at Meadowbrook Elementary School in East Meadow on Nov. 8, when U.S. Air Force Sgt. Thomas Hartley returned home after four months of deployment, surprising his two daughters.

Fourth-grade and kindergarten students assembled in the building’s All-Purpose Room to create thank you messages as part of a Veterans Day lesson. Hartley’s daughters, fourth-grader Averie and kindergartner Alyssa, were among them.

While teachers were instructing the students on part of the activity, Hartley entered the room to the shock of Averie and Alyssa. In the background, the school band played Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.”

After a tearful and excited greeting between Hartley and his daughters, school principal Kelly Di Scalfani-O’Brien presented the family with a certificate of commendation from the students at Meadowbrook and the entire district. This return home marks the sergeant’s retirement after 21 years of service.

You can see the video of their reunion here:

Photos courtesy East Meadow School District