Veteran's daughter uplifted by teen's sweet gesture

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- A high school senior came to the aid of a 9-year-old girl in San Antonio, Texas, earlier this month.

What he did melted hearts, and saved the girl from a heartbreaking moment.

Addie Rodriguez knows her dad is training in California. He's a senior airman who's served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Alexis Perry-Rodriguez, Addie's mother, said, "She's really tough and she understands that dad goes away for a reason."

Saturday featured a moment Addie missed her dad very much -- on the field at Central Catholic High School. The 9-year-old is a cheerleader, and she was performing when every other dad lifted their girls onto their shoulders.

Alexis Perry-Rodriguez said, "It was really heartbreaking to see your daughter standing out there being the only one without their father."

Addie said, "I just felt really sad because I miss him a lot."

Then, Addie saw someone rushing toward her.

Matthew Garcia, a Central Catholic High School senior, said, "I ran down from the bleachers right here and I just hopped the fence and I went over and I kneeled down, I talked to her and I said, 'Are you ok?'"

Matthew picked her up.

Addie said, "I just saw him run to me, and said, 'You can come on my shoulders.'"

Addie's mom said, "I realized what he was doing. And my heart just melted. It was just the most beautiful thing."

Matthew said, "I'm glad I could help make her day."

Addie said, "I just felt like somebody saved my life...I thought that was so nice especially because my dad's serving for us."

Watch station KABB and WOAI's full report in the video player above.