LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
After the longest deployment of his 15-year career, a Joint Base Langley-Eustis Airman had the opportunity to give his children a memory they will never forget.
After spending a year deployed, Staff Sgt. Kenneth Taiclet, 633rd Communication Squadron client system technician, surprised his four children -- 10-year-old Tiffany, 8-year-old Samantha, 4-year-old Ryan and infant Nathaniel -- with an early homecoming Sept. 28, at the Busch Gardens theme park in nearby Williamsburg.
Taiclet said the plan came to fruition after months of preparation.
"I've been planning since July," he said. "My kids have been through a lot with this [deployment], so I wanted to give them something memorable and fun."
After careful planning with his wife, Melissa, and the park's staff, Taiclet set the stage for his surprise to take place during a Halloween-themed performance at the park.
During the finale, "Ulrich," the show's lead character and resident vampire, pulled Melissa into the performance as an "unsuspecting guest," as Taiclet waited backstage for his queue.
With Melissa onstage, Ulrich called Taiclet from behind the set. Taiclet ran to the front in uniform as his children sat for a moment, piecing it together. When he reached the front of the stage, the children rushed to their father as the crowd gave a standing ovation.
"We weren't expecting it," said Tiffany with a grin, overcome with joy and unable to say more.
The event was the first time Taiclet held his son, Nathaniel, since his birth in April. Traiclet was home on leave for Nathaniel's birth, but had to return just a week later.
"There was a lot of video chatting," said Melissa, "but it's great to have him home now."
Taiclet said he was excited to be home and plans to spend as much time as possible with his family in the coming months.