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Local soldier return a surprise for elementary school

PAW PAW, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - The students at Later Elementary in Paw Paw were told they were having an assembly for reading month.

And Jaison and Brayden Root had no idea that it was their dad Army Specialist Michael Root nervously waiting behind the curtain on stage to surprise them.

When the curtain opened and he walked out the three had a long hug in front of cheering students.

Just back from Afghanistan, they hadn't seen their dad in nine months.

"Yeah, I was surprised, that's why when I finally got there I started crying," says fifth grader Jaison Root.

And even for dad, who knew it was coming, it was emotional.

"I just had all these memories go through my mind of the time we spent together before I left and the emotions we had before I left.  It just brought everything back of how important these guys are to me, they're the reason i go on every day," says Root.

The surprise was arranged by mom Lorinda Root who was the one keeping the family together for nine months and it wasn't easy.

"I just pushed through the struggles, I try to stay strong for him and always be there and stay strong for him," says Lorinda Root.

Now Army Specialist Root says his only plans are to get back to the routine of home and never be far from his sons...

"I'm just going to get back in the groove of things, spend as much time as I can back with my boys.  we have these two here and a baby, can't wait to spend time with all three of them," says Root.