I came home from deployment for leave without telling the wife and kids. Ive been home since July 2009. The hardest thing about deploying was leaving the family, especially the kids. It was hardest for my oldest, whom you can see running to me. My youngest, unfortunately, didn’t recognize me when I returned. But it didn’t take to long for him to realize I was his daddy!

Capt. Ray Abordo returned Friday (a week early) from a year-long tour in Afghanistan. He had his wife send the kids to their aunt and uncle’s house, and he waited to surprise them at school on Monday!