GRAIN VALLEY, MO -
Three young students got a heartwarming surprise at a metro elementary school on Friday, as their sailor father made it home in time for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Chief Petty Officer James Milam hadn't seen his kids since January, so when he came home he decided to give his kids, students at Matthews Elementary School in Grain Valley, a big surprise.
"Dad has a little bit of butterflies in his stomach, but I think this will be a lot of fun," said CPO. Milam, as he prepared to walk into his son Andrew's second grade classroom.
Andrew's face lit up when he realized what was happening, as he rushed to give his dad a big hug.
When asked what he thought of the surprise, the boy simply said "Cool."
Milam got a similar response when he visited his 5-year-old son Adam's kindergarten classroom.
"Hi Adam," said Milam, as he got another big hug and a kiss from his son. "How are you buddy?"
It's difficult for a five-year-old to understand why his dad is always gone. But being older, like 12-year-old Phillip Milam, doesn't make the absence any easier. But the expression on Phillip's face is exactly the same as his younger brothers when his dad walked into the room.
When he was asked what it was like since his dad has been gone, Philip said it's been tough.
"Because you're used to having him around, but he's not around," said Phillip.
His father says that those are hard words to hear, but he says that he's doing the right thing. This will be his first Thanksgiving at home in two years, but after this 10-day visit, he reports back to Virginia to await his next assignment.
"This is why we're taking the fight to them, keeping them on their heels," said Milam. "Let them be scared and afraid in their country versus my family being afraid and scared in their own."
Chief Petty Officer James Milam hadn't seen his kids since January, so when he came home he decided to give his kids, students at Matthews Elementary School in Grain Valley, a big surprise.
"Dad has a little bit of butterflies in his stomach, but I think this will be a lot of fun," said CPO. Milam, as he prepared to walk into his son Andrew's second grade classroom.
Andrew's face lit up when he realized what was happening, as he rushed to give his dad a big hug.
When asked what he thought of the surprise, the boy simply said "Cool."
Milam got a similar response when he visited his 5-year-old son Adam's kindergarten classroom.
"Hi Adam," said Milam, as he got another big hug and a kiss from his son. "How are you buddy?"
It's difficult for a five-year-old to understand why his dad is always gone. But being older, like 12-year-old Phillip Milam, doesn't make the absence any easier. But the expression on Phillip's face is exactly the same as his younger brothers when his dad walked into the room.
When he was asked what it was like since his dad has been gone, Philip said it's been tough.
"Because you're used to having him around, but he's not around," said Phillip.
His father says that those are hard words to hear, but he says that he's doing the right thing. This will be his first Thanksgiving at home in two years, but after this 10-day visit, he reports back to Virginia to await his next assignment.
"This is why we're taking the fight to them, keeping them on their heels," said Milam. "Let them be scared and afraid in their country versus my family being afraid and scared in their own."
