Ga. Man Returns from Deployment, Surprises Family

This story will warm your heart. A Henry County man organized the ultimate surprise for his family as he returned home last week from a 2-and-a-half-month deployment to the Middle East.

Lieutenant Colonel Stephen P. Baffic works as a physician assistant in the Georgia Air National Guard. He's assigned to the 116th Air Control Wing at Robins Air Force Base.

Last Saturday, Baffic decided to surprise his wife, JoAnne, and 13-year-old daughter, Hallie, at a cross country track meet.

The bittersweet reunion was captured on camera. Hallie, a seventh grader at Eagles Landing Christian Academy, was competing in the meet and as she was crossing the finish line she saw her father waiting at the end. Her speed increased and she jumped into his arms.

"It was such an amazing day," Baffic told FOX 5.

Baffic said the school's principal and coaches helped make his "surprise homecoming" happen.

"I really want to highlight the sacrifice of military families," Baffic said. "The family member in uniform has the easy job. Our families constantly give up time and hold down things at home."

From all of us at FOX 5 News, thank you for your service LTC Baffic!

Video courtesy of ELCA Track Coach Tiffany Rodgers

App users: Click here to watch the full reunion