Alanis Barreto-Cruz, a senior at Socorro High School, received a surprise Christmas gift this year. Her dad, Sergeant First Class Miguel Barreto, a helicopter mechanic in the U.S. Army, had been deployed to Latvia and Poland since June. He returned home on Dec. 11 to surprise her just in time for her graduation from El Paso Community College on Dec. 13.
While Barreto-Cruz was in her English class, her father, mother, and grandparents unexpectedly entered the classroom. As soon as she saw him, Barreto-Cruz jumped out of her chair and wrapped her arms around her father.
“I was shocked,” Barreto-Cruz said. “I was taking a test, and I didn't really realize what was happening until I saw him.”
Barreto said he would never forget the joy he saw on his daughter’s face when she first saw him.
“She's been expecting me for the longest time, so it was a nice surprise for her,” Barreto said.
Barreto returned home in time to see his daughter graduate from EPCC with her associate degree. Barreto-Cruz is a student in Socorro High School’s Early College program, which allows students to earn a college degree before they graduate from high school.
“I didn't think he was going to come,” Barreto-Cruz said. “I was like really worried because he wasn't like letting us know when he was coming, and he kept getting delayed.”
Barreto emphasized how difficult it can be for military parents to be away from their families because of their duties. He planned to spend as much time with his family before Barreto-Cruz leaves for college next year. He was also thankful for his daughter’s teachers and school administrators, and especially to his wife for organizing the surprise reunion.
“That was the best time,” Barreto said. “It was one of those moments.”