'I haven't seen him in 20 months:' Military dad surprises his 7-year-old son at school
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WHITEFISH BAY -- A 7-year-old boy got the surprise of a lifetime on Monday, Jan. 7.
The second grader had not seen his dad, who is a captain in the U.S. Navy, for nearly two years. But when things changed with the Navy, the captain was able to come home earlier than expected -- and he surprised his son during skating class at St. Monica Catholic School in Whitefish Bay.
Jon-Andrew Anderson has been serving as a captain in the U.S. Navy in Bahrain since April 2017.
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"I haven't seen him in 20 months," said Anderson.
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Anderson's deployment only allowed him to talk with his son Ethan on FaceTime during his active duty. He made calls at 4 a.m. in the Middle East just to say good night.
"Once you hang up with him, it's back, it's back to 135 degrees and getting back on the ship and going -- and I actually feel like I'm home now," Anderson said.
All of that changed on Monday when the two were reunited at St. Monica School -- while Ethan as in class.
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"Like he's here now, you can touch him, he's right there," Anderson said.
The 7-year-old had no idea his dad was back in the U.S.
"I thought I was only going to see him next Christmas. But I get to see him now!" Ethan said.
There was even more good news for the two. Anderson will not have to be back at sea for a few years.
"However long you're gone from home, it's always worth it for the day you get to come back," Anderson said.
Anderson is in town for a week -- and is moving to Washington, D.C. where he will be able to see his son more often.