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Deployed Air Force Father Surprises Daughter At School, Doesn't Recognize Him

By David Madden and Alexandria Hoff

MARLTON, N.J. (CBS) – Six-year-old Violet Avery hasn't gotten to see her father all that much in her young life. That's because 45-year-old Air Force Master Sergeant James Avery has done seven tours of duty.

So after finishing his latest assignment, seven months in Qatar, Avery and his wife planned a little surprise for their daughter.

He arrived at Evans Elementary School in Marlton just as Violet and her first grade classmates were sitting down to lunch.

From behind he crouched down and said to the unsuspecting student, "Can I have a bite?"

That's when this already-adorable story became even more so.

Violet stared at the man dressed in fatigues and whispered, "Who is it?"

"Who is it?!" James responded back with a laugh.

It became clear that seven months to a six year old is a very long time.

"Who is it?" James repeated, "It's Daddy!"

"Daddy?" Violet repeated, "Daddy?!"

"I just wanted to give Violet something to remember," Avery told KYW Newsradio, "and the kids in her class were very supportive. They sent us a lot of letters."

The encounter stunned the little girl for about a minute. She didn't recognize daddy at first, but gave him a big hug when it finally dawned on her that he was home.

Then again, dad was a little stunned as well. Violet was sporting a new pair of glasses. She was also eager to show him that she had also lost a tooth.

"It's been well known by both the staff and the students that Violets father is a hero and he is serving us," said school principal, Nicholas DiBlasi.

Avery has been serving on various tours in the Middle East and Africa for the better part of 15 years. Something Violet's mom says the family has gotten used to. She says that they are hoping he will able to be home for the next 16 months.

The little girl and her parents joined the rest of the first grade class for a popsicle treat after lunch. Then it was home for some down time.

Except for one thing. Violet wants daddy to take her to see The Jungle Book.

When Violet was asked 'What's the best thing about your dad?" she responded, "He protects me." In that, she speaks for all of us.

Sergeant Avery also has a teenage son.

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