Soldier surprises 5-year-old son | Georgetown, SC

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Soldier surprises 5-year-old son

U.S. Army Sgt. Russ Sexton gets a massive hug his 5-year-old son Aidan.

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Published on 11/28/2008
Written by Clayton Stairs

By Clayton Stairs
cstairs@gtowntimes.com

Waving flags and plaques they created to welcome a “special guest,” kindergarten students in Ryan Yonkers’ class at Waccamaw Elementary School had no idea who was coming through the door Tuesday morning.
One of the students, Aidan Sexton, was shocked when his father — an active duty U.S. Army Specialist E-4 who has been working as a convoy security gunner in the Iraq War — suddenly appeared. Not seeing him for over a year, it was the surprise of a lifetime for the 5-year-old.
“He just looked at me and my teacher’s aid, Karen Lee, for a few seconds, stunned” Yonkers said. “Then he went to his father, and they hugged for a while. It was really cute.”
Russ stayed in the classroom to read a book, “The First Thanksgiving,” with his wife, Crystal, and his 1-year-old daughter, Hope, whom he hasn’t seen since she was a newborn. He then answered questions the children had about his duties and where he was stationed before taking his family home.
“It is fantastic to be back in Pawleys Island,” Russ Sexton said. “I was so happy to see my son, who is my little buddy, and to see my daughter and my wife.”

                                    A thankful reunion
Yonkers says it worked out well that this homecoming occurred during the Thanksgiving season.
“It makes the children understand what we are talking about when we say we are thankful,” Yonkers said. “ With Aidan’s dad coming home, it made them realize that some fathers are not home for Thanksgiving and they see how thankful Aidan is that he could come home.”
Crystal Sexton is thankful her husband has returned from the war healthy.
“I am so glad he is safe and in one piece,” she said. “It means a lot to us to have him here. A lot of people don’t know how it is to be a mother and a wife of a husband in the military.”

                                         Missing dad
According to Yonkers, Aidan has been talking about missing his father since the beginning of the school year.
“At the end of every day, we discuss each student’s favorite part of the day,” Yonkers said. “Most of the students would mention a book we read or something they did at recess, but every day Aidan would say, ‘I miss my dad.’”
That is why she agreed to a°llow Aidan’s father, Russ, to come to the classroom in October, and again earlier this month. However, his release date was changed and he was unable to visit the school. Finally, Russ was sent home on leave.
Unfortunately, he will only be staying for a few days before he needs to report to Germany, where he will take part in training for his next promotion. He hopes to take his family there with him, but if that is not possible, he will ask to be stationed close to this area after his training is complete in October.
While he is here over Thanksgiving, he intends to spend as much time with his family as possible. He is planning to take his son fishing and possibly to the driving range to hit some balls.

                                       Making progress
Leaving for Germany in April of 2006, Russ Sexton was deployed to Iraq shortly afterward. He came home for 18 days in October of 2007, when he saw his daughter for the first time, and then went back to Iraq until he returned home Tuesday.
He says the work he was doing in Iraq was very dangerous, since he was traveling with convoys in some areas of intense fighting.
“We were on the roads just about every night, going to different cities, different posts and different Army bases,” Russ Sexton said. “We had a couple close encounters, but I made it out all right.”
He says there has definitely been some major progress made in Iraq and, in general, the soldiers are proud of what they are doing over there.
“Morale is still up and the citizens are a lot more helpful now because they have seen the good we are doing,” Russ Sexton said. “When you are over there and you realize what the mission is, you actually know what is going on. People don’t hear about all that is going on in the news.”
He adds that his reception in Georgetown County, South Carolina has been a warm one.
“I’m grateful for the support I get when I get back home,” Russ Sexton said. “It is nice to come home and be appreciated. Some places you can tell people just don’t care, but this isn’t one of them.”

Well, what can I say? Time flies? God keeps His promises? God still hears and answers our prayers? Yes, I'll say all of the above. From the sidelines of Archdale Baptist Church, I have watched Sandi, Joni and Russ grow up and am a witness to the fact that God has had His arms around this family for years. It proves the Biblical teaching that God takes care of those who obey His Word. I know Russ's grandmother Pat loves him very much as she sends e-mails to her prayer warriors, and of which I am one, to remember Russ in our prayers. Thank you Pat for sharing your happiness and joy with me. Love to all, Nan Edwards

Posted by Nan Edwards on 12/2/2008

Rusty is our grandson & we are so very proud of him for sacraficing his time away from his family to serve our country & keep us safe @ home. I know he appreciates your prayers as much as we do, & praise to God who brought him home to us.Thank you for the beautiful picture of our grandson & our great-grandson who has waited so long to see his dad.

Posted by Pat&Wayne Lohr on 12/2/2008

We are all very pround of you Russell Stuart Sexton!!! Job well done and the good Lord above sent you back to us safely.We have all truly missed you. All the American people are proud of the military HEROS . Thanks for all your protection while in Iraq!!!! When your back is up aganist the wall whom should you call on the Good Lord up above. Love your Aunt Joni in Hot Archdale!!!! May God Bless and Keep You!!!!!!

Posted by Aunt Joni aka Ms K on 12/2/2008

I Am Thankful That Russ Made It Home Alright, And All The Sexton's Are Together RIght Now. I Love Each And Every One Of You Soo Much!!! I Know How Hard It Has Been On Crystal And Aidan, Hope Not Old Enough To Realize. Just To Let You Know I Tell Hope Every Single Time I See Her How Much She Looks Just Like Her Daddy..You Have A Beautiful Family And A Job That Takes Alot Of Understanding From Some People..Just Wanted To Let You KNow RUSS SEXTON..That I Am Proud Of You And Happy To Be Semi Related LOL!!! Love From Aunt Ashley And Cousin Avery

Posted by Lauren Petrea on 12/2/2008

Thank you for posting this story! I am so very proud of Rusty. I am glad that he was able to come home for Thanksgiving. We have missed him very much! I am Rusty's aunt in Asheboro, North Carolina. The men and women in the military sacrifice so much for us. My children and I pray for each and everyone one of them everyday. We appreicate that they are protecting our freedoms! Thank you again for this wonderful story!

Posted by Pam Gregg Stutts on 12/2/2008

Welcome home...and thank you for your dedication and service to the American people! I know your family is very proud of you!

Posted by Barbara on 12/2/2008

This story was GREAT. You were speaking of my son and his family. I could not be prouder of him and all the men and women in the military for what they do. He has missed alot while he's been gone but he knows he's doing what he has to do. We are so thankful for his safe return. Thank you for writing such a great article. Sandi Trotter........PROUD MOTHER OF A SOLDIER

Posted by Sandi Trotter on 12/2/2008

I'm Rusty's Aunt, I live out in southern California, his wife sent this to me. I want to thank the paper for making a big deal out of this. It is a big deal. We are so very proud of him. Words can not express how much it meant to see him on the front page of your paper. Thanks again, from our hearts

Posted by Bona Cleary on 12/2/2008

I would like to say thank you, Russ, for the willingness to fight for our freedom. You & all the other soldiers (men or women) is what makes our nation such a great place to live. I also want to thank everyone who has served or is serving our country in any branch of the military. I am so thankful for each of you that are willing to fight for our country. Also, the the families of all these wonder people I am also so greatful for your loyalty & dedication to these troops while they are away. I know that it's got to be one of the hardest things anyone could ever have to do. Just remember you're all in my thoughts & prayers. May God continue to richly bless you & your families. I am so proud to be a, full blooded, United States of American citizen. I say that with pride & honor because of people like you. Thanks again.

Posted by A PROUD US CITIZEN on 12/1/2008

WHAT A WONDERFUL STORY AND BEAUTIFUL PICTURE. THIS HAS MADE ME TOUGH, BUT IT WAS ALL WORTH IT...THANKS FOR ALL THE SUPPORT, BE THANKFUL FOR WHAT YOU HAVE. PRAY FOR OUR SOLDIERS THAT ARE STILL OVER THERE AND THE ONES THAT WILL BE GOING! CRYSTAL SEXTON

Posted by THE MRS.SEXTON! on 12/1/2008

I got to see this Monday morning at Waccamaw Elementary School.The School was GREAT for what they did. A banner was out in front of school for him to welcome him home the class room also had a banner made by the kids in Aidan classroom.Aidan classmates and teachers was so happly for him that his Dad was home.I THANK the school and teachers for making that day special for the family and also thank Georgetown Times for Coming out and putting this on the front page.Thank You!! I

Posted by Donna Alley on 12/1/2008

we are so blessed to have man & women that are willing to miss out on so much. i wound like to tell you and all the people that protect this great land that i am so proud of each and everyone of you!!!! god bless you and your familys! god blessthe USA

Posted by blessed on 11/29/2008

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