Zach Harmon with his daughter, Lilly (Credit: WJBK)
ROYAL OAK, Mich. (WJBK) -
On Friday, Oak Ridge Elementary School in Royal Oak welcomed a hometown hero back from Afghanistan. A big to-do, all to create a surprise for Zach Harmon's 5-year-old daughter.
Harmon had just spent a year in Afghanistan. A long reunion with his daughter was overdue and now culminated with a last minute wait backstage, in the school's assembly area.
Waiting for Dad on the other side of the curtain and placed conspicuously in the front row of the assembly, was his daughter Lilly.
The time had come -- and after an announcement made by Principal Jason Parrot, the 22-year-old soldier took center stage.
It took him a second to find Lily in the sea of little faces, then his kindergartner got up and ran on stage. Big hugs and a standing ovation by the K-5 crowd.
Harmon is home indefinitely. He says he will report back to his unit in Detroit in December, but as far as he knows, there are no immediate plans to return overseas.
He says the year of separation was hard on his family, especially for his wife, Chyna, and the girls.
Play the video to see the emotional reunion, including Harmon's introduction to his newborn daughter, who was born while he was stationed in the field.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:59 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:59:53 GMT
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Zach Harmon with his daughter, Lilly (Credit: WJBK)
