Air Force Dad Surprises Young Children With Homecoming

ATCO, N.J. (CBS) -- It was a patriotic parade to the sidewalk, in red, white and blue. Breaking free from the classroom, a bunch of kids broke out in song, celebrating America on Monday.

Among the children singing were Jayden, Vivian and Mason Williams, who had no idea that the celebration was actually a surprise salute for their dad, Chris, a member of the United States Air Force, who just finished his third deployment overseas.

They have not seen their dad since January, except through video.

"They're a handful," said Chris' Dad, Robert. "It's been an experience since they've been with us."

"I love you," are the first words he wants to tell his father, Chris said, before the surprise. The Williams kids thought they were going to pick their dad up at the airport, but that was not the case.

As they continued to sing, waiting for school to end, their father Chris appeared. It wasn't the ice cream man coming down the street. It was daddy.

"It's just great to know that people are thinking about you while your away," Chris said. "It's lonely out there. You get bored and you miss your family. You miss birthdays, holidays, so just something like this makes you look forward to coming home."

Mission Complete.