After seven months away, the third graders were speechless on Tuesday when their father (a US Air Force civil engineer) entered classrooms during the day at school.
Just minutes before lunch at Vanning Elementary School, the dual immersion class was engaged in the activity when Michael LeGrain walked through the door.
Telling classes in advance that the media presence was due to recent high scores, heartwarming military homecoming was caught up in the video.
In the video, third-grader Thomas Lugrain said over his shoulder with Mrs. Ruano, his teacher, “Muy Bien!”
He heard another voice and sounded very different to Mrs. Luno, “Mui Bien,” and he looked up.
The military father surprises his third-grade son in his banned classroom after seven months away. April 2025 (KTLA) Army father surprises his third-grade son in a banned classroom after seven months apart. April 2025 (KTLA) Army father surprises his third-grade son in a banned classroom after seven months apart. April 2025 (KTLA) Army father surprises his third-grade son in a banned classroom after seven months apart. April 2025 (KTLA)
With a sharp gasp and an ear-to-ear smile, Thomas seemed too shocked by the words as he had taken in the first sight of his father in a few months.
“Is that his dad?” The classmate next to Thomas can be heard asking the teacher.
Michael pulled Thomas into his arm while the camera captured the sweet moment.
In an interview before the reunion, Michael spoke to KTLA’s Shelby Nelson and said he was nervous with surprise.
“I want him to be happy that I’m back,” Michael said.
Michael just returned from his fourth development and was greeted with the reaction he wanted.
Once the lack of words settled, Thomas told KTLA that he felt “happy and surprised” to meet his father.
“I’m so happy he’s happy that his father is back,” said Brianna LeGrain, Michael’s wife and Thomas’ mother. “They can spend a lot of time together.”
The family said that when Michael left, it was never easy.
“I tell him, ‘I’m strong and I have faith,'” Michael said. “I’ll be back.”
However, Brianna and Thomas are supportive and their parents say Thomas understands that their father’s absence means a lot.
“He’s protecting the people of our town,” Thomas said.
Michael has a new job at the base at March Air Reserve and he said the plan is now to settle down and that he and Thomas will have more time to play again and be together.
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