In The News 29 April 2013

Surprise celebration for Dad's return from Afghanistan

By
Rory Ryan-hcpress@cinci.rr.com

Three-year-old Greyson Swayne enjoyed a very special surprise Monday morning at the Highland County Community Action Organization, Inc.'s Belfast Head Start Center.

Shortly after arriving at Head Start and after giving the day's weather forecast for the pupils, Greyson and his classmates were sitting down for breakfast when his dad, U.S. Army Reserves Spc. Brandon Swayne walked in.

With mom Jessica Swayne seated nearby, Greyson's face broke into a mile-wide grin as Spc. Swayne walked over to his family.

Greyson, who earlier in the day was reluctant to take off his coat, was wearing a T-shirt that read: "Welcome Home, Dad. I miss my hero."

Teachers Cindy Fogle and Jeanette Rhoads and the Head Start staff gathered the youngsters for the special occasion.

For the past nine months, Spc. Swayne, of the Belfast community, has been serving in Afghanistan with the 449th Engineer Company based in Fort Thomas, Ky.


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The Reservists returned home Sunday after being deployed for 11 months and serving nine months in Afghanistan as part of the military's route clearance operations, led by Capt. Travis W. Absher, commander of 449th Engineer Company, who led a successful campaign that ensured every member of the 449th came home.

With grandmother Teresa Swayne also in attendance, Greyson obviously enjoyed his surprise family reunion.

Brandon and Jessica Swayne will celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary on Oct. 18.

For more information on Head Start, call 764-1590 or 393-3458.

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