Kids & Family
Mom Tears Up Reading Son's Note Asking Dad to Come Home for Christmas
Watch Janet Rivera, of Tinley Park, get choked up as she reads the letter to Santa from her son, Dominic, that led to last week's surprise reunion with the boy's Army dad.
Christmas came early for Dominic and Brycen Rivera when they received the best gift they could last week: their U.S. Army dad coming home from Afghanistan.
Sgt. John Rivera surprised his boys Friday, Dec. 13, during an assembly at Central Middle School, where Dominic, 11, attends sixth grade. The entire family hugged in the middle of the school gym as the other students chanted "USA!"
READ: Army Dad's Return Grants Son's Christmas Wish
The idea to make John Rivera's return a surprise came about thanks to a letter to Santa that Dominic wrote as part of a school writing assignment. Dominic's mother, Janet, worked with Central Middle School Principal Randy Fortin to make the reunion a special event.
As you relax and enjoy the Christmas holiday, watch this video of Janet getting choked up as she reads her son's letter during a press conference after the surprise.
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