RENO, Nev. (AP) — A Nevada National Guardsman has marked the end of a one-year deployment in Afghanistan with a surprise Father's Day weekend homecoming with his wife and six children at the Reno Rodeo.
Chief Warrant Officer 5 Glen Spadin of Sparks was greeted by hugs from his children when he suddenly emerged from behind two horses during a Patriot Night ceremony Friday on the arena floor arranged by the rodeo, Nevada Army National Guard and his wife, Maja.
His son and five daughters weren't told about his arrival home beforehand, and they reacted with a mixture of shock and excitement. They range in age from 6 months to 9 years.
The 45-year-old Spadin, a fixed-wing aircraft pilot who conducted surveillance of enemy personnel in Afghanistan, says he missed his family during his deployment and this will be his favorite Father's Day ever.
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