A soldier returning from an overseas deployment got a big surprise on the flight back to the states. The pilot of the charter flight was his father.
Captain Mario Lopes knew the date his son would be returning from Kuwait, so he added the charter flight to his schedule, hoping his son would be one of the soldier passengers.
He hid out of sight in the cockpit during boarding and when crew members confirmed his son was aboard, Lopes snuck up behind him in the aisle.
Lopes said, “First Lieutenant Lopes, What are you doing on my flight?” When his son turned and saw him, the two shared a long, emotional, welcome home hug.
