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Military Father Surprises Family At Special School Assembly

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP (KDKA) – Our country has thousands of soldiers deployed overseas in dangerous areas fighting ISIS and other threats.

And while it's not easy for those men and women to leave for their assignments, it's also not easy for their families who are left behind.

But Monday there was a surprise reunion for one local family.

When two local kids at Haine Middle School in Cranberry got together in the gym, they had no idea Air Force Sgt. Gerry Taylor was anxiously waiting in the hall to see his son Jason.

"It's an important day to honor our veterans and the sacrifices they make. In fact, I'd like to introduce a special one today, our guest, come in today ... " said Principal Dan DiDesiderio.

Jason was surprised and thrilled. His sister Ivy was too when he showed up earlier in the day at the high school.

Jason had told his kids he was returning at the holidays.

"I've been on pins and needles the past couple of weeks that I've known the date that I was going to return and haven't been able to tell them, it was rougher that I arrived last Wednesday and had to spend a couple of days not running home to see your kids," said Taylor. "It was kind of good because I got to spend a couple of days just with the wife."

"Once Mr. D said, 'welcome our veteran Mr. G Taylor, I got up and ran,'" said Jason.

Gerry's wife and kids actually moved from New Jersey while he was overseas, but Dormont is his hometown, so he was thrilled with the gift he got from the school.

"Since you moved here from New Jersey, and you're now in the Pittsburgh area, every family has a Terrible Towel and what is nice is it's signed by Ben Roethlisberger," said one school official.

It was a moment to remember, for the school looking on and especially for the family reunited.

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