Five-year-old Gets Special Surprise From Brother in the Army
The Keene Sentinel, N.H. | Dec 22, 2014 | by Matt Nanci
With Christmas coming soon, many children find themselves hanging around the tree, gazing at the presents underneath and dreaming of what Santa Claus might bring them.
But 5-year-old Parker Antonivich had his older brother on his mind as he went to Mount Caesar Elementary School in Swanzey Dec. 18. Little did he know Christmas was coming early to him -- right to his kindergarten classroom.
Parker hadn't seen his big brother Logan Corliss since July, when Corliss left for basic training for the Army right after graduating from Keene High School in June. Corliss, 18, went to Fort Jackson in South Carolina and then to Fort Sill in Oklahoma for advanced individual training.
Parker knew his brother would be home soon, but didn't know when.
Spirits were already high at the school Thursday: It was "pajamas day" and Monday marks the start of winter vacation.
Corliss has seen and heard about videos that have gone viral showing service members surprising their families, but didn't know what to expect for his reunion with Parker.
"I'm nervous, just more for him than it is for me," he said in the school's cafeteria before the reunion.
The brothers' mother, Dana Mayotte, said Corliss came home Wednesday afternoon but Parker was at his father's house that day and thought Corliss would be home Dec. 20.
Needless to say, Parker was more than surprised when Corliss walked into his class Thursday morning.
The kindergarteners were gathered around in a circle on a carpet at the far side of the room as part of their morning meeting when the classroom door opened. Their attention was diverted to the young man in his Army uniform.
As Corliss entered the room, the classroom chatter quieted as the children looked to see who it was.
"Come on in special visitor. Who is it?," kindergarten teacher Kate Ells asked Parker. "Who is our special visitor?"
The sight of his older brother brought Parker to tears and they hugged before Corliss hoisted his little brother into his arms.
The principal, Melissa Suarez; Sharon Thomsen, a special education paraprofessional; a parent and Ells all teared up, too.
From then on neither brother could stop smiling.
"I was really surprised, Mom," Parker said while being held in his brother's arms.
Ells said it was tough knowing that any second Corliss would be walking through the door because she had to keep her students on the carpet for their meeting in addition to dealing with the excitement and anticipation she was feeling.
"It was difficult to make it all work," she said.
After the brothers' moment together, they sat down next to each other at one of the tables in the classroom, which was way too small for Corliss, to eat pancakes that were made for pajamas day as part of the kindergarten class' holiday celebration.
"It was a remarkable moment and we're just glad we were here to be a part of it," Suarez said.
Corliss helped his little brother cut his pancakes as they caught up from when they saw each other last.
"They've always been close," Mayotte said. "They just adore each other."
Ells said Parker's a really sweet kid and loves to talk about his family all the time.
Corliss also stayed for part of the day after the pancake breakfast and engaged in the activities planned for the class with Parker.
"For a little kindergartner, 5 or 6 years old, to have that moment ... it was heartwarming," Suarez said.
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2014/12/22/five-year-old-gets-special-surprise-from-brother-in-the-army.html?comp=7000023468004&rank=1
