HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — After an 18-month deployment, Naval Captain Edwin Smith had another mission to get done when returning home to the Tampa Bay area — surprising his kids at school.
Hillsborough County Public Schools captured the moment Smith arrived at York K-8 to surprise his son.
"What's up, buddy? I'm home!" Smith said just before embracing his son with a hug. "No more long trips, buddy."
Another video shows the moment Smith also surprised his three daughters, triplets, in 10th grade at East Bay High School.
Smith's daughters were captured running down a hallway with smiles on their faces, and eventually, embracing their dad in a long, emotional hug. Other students surrounded them, celebrating the moment with cheers and applause.
"Welcome back home, Captain Smith," the sc