Just Plain Cool!

This story is just plain cool. I can't describe it in any other way that does it justice, not that just plain cool, does. This story is heart-warming, it is happy, it is good news, it made me cry with a smile on my face, and it is something I wish for all families that have members deployed over seas. A happy reunion, even if only a brief leave, that leaves all members with something great to remember, and a happy moment to treasure while their loved one is gone.

Here is the story:

DAYTON, Nev. (AP) - Gabriel Hurles' sixth birthday party wasn't
a surprise but his present sure was.

The kindergartner was so engrossed in the cupcakes his mother
brought to his class in Dayton Wednesday that he didn't notice the enormous wrapped box off to the side.

When a classmate finally pointed it out, Gabriel peeled back the wrapping paper to find the surprise of his young life - his father, an Army mechanic back in Nevada on leave from his second tour in Iraq.

23-year-old Casey Hurles says he hadn't seen his son since he left in June. When he learned his leave would coincide with his son's birthday, he hatched the plan to hide out in the 4-foot tall box.

After Hurles sat down and ate a cupcake with the birthday boy, teacher Dawn VanSickle presented him with a banner from the class
that read, "Welcome Home. Thank you for your service."

Stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, Hurles is about seven months into his second tour and expects to finish sometime this summer.

Gabriel says he looks forward to playing with his dad over the next two weeks but understands why he has to leave again. The young
boy said: "He works in the war."

Many thanks to the Hurles family for the sacrifices they endure while Mr. Hurles serves his country. Many thanks to Mr. Hurles for his service to the United States, and the sacrifices he has made in doing so. Many thanks to Dawn VanSickle for having her class honor one of America's brave soldiers. Many thanks to all of you that pray for our soldiers safe return upon the completion of their missions.

Moments like this are why I all pray for our soldiers and their loved ones. They have all given so much of themselves and deserve every minute like this that they can capture.