Soldier Surprises Son at Burlington Grade School Assembly

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — A surprise reunion awaited a Burlington first-grade student at a not-so-typical school assembly.

The Burlington Hawk Eye reports that Andy Deuitch, who had returned home from serving in Afghanistan, surprised his son Tanton Welborn at school Wednesday.

When Welborn joined the rest of the student body and their dragon mascot to sing in the school gymnasium, he was unaware that the man in the mascot’s costume was his father. During the song, Deuitch removed the head of the dragon suit and the father and his son hugged as the crowd gave a standing ovation.

The reunion was coordinated by Deuitch’s wife.

Deuitch has been with the Army Reserves for the past nine years, and has served in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan.