Military dad returns to surprise son on 9th birthday

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Monday, May 7, 2018
Returning soldier surprises son
Returning soldier surprises son. Tamala Edwards reports during Action News Mornings on May 7, 2018.

A boy's one wish for his ninth birthday was for his dad to be there on the big day.

And he got what he wanted in a reunion he'll savor always.

Ronin Coffelt came home from school to find a letter and several wrapped boxes.

The last one had a special message inside giving Ronin exactly what he wanted.

It said "Surprise," and Ronin looked up from the box to see his dad.

"Daddy!" he screamed, jumping into his father's arms.

Ronin's dad Mark is a senior master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force.

He arrived home from an eight-month deployment in Qatar the day before Ronin's birthday. He hid in the basement until the big reveal.

"If he couldn't be home for my birthday, my birthday wouldn't be the same," Ronin said.

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