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VIDEO: Military Dad Surprises 4th Grade Daughter At Berkeley Preparatory Academy

by Nikki Gaskins Campbell
Pictured: Naval SW2 Petty Officer Claude Ravenell and his young daughter embrace. (Credit: Edge Communications/Charter Schools USA)

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. – Here’s a story that is sure to bring a smile to your face and tug at your heartstrings.

Fourth grader Aria Ravenell has not seen her father, who serves in the U.S. Navy, in almost four years.

But that all changed recently when she received the surprise of a lifetime. This week, her dad, Claude Ravenell, showed up at the school unannounced and gently tapped his daughter on her shoulder during her normal lunch period at Berkeley Preparatory Academy.

She clearly did not expect him to be there. As far as she knew, her dad was still overseas.

“Daddy!” Aria screams after realizing her dad was here in the flesh and this was no dream.

She immediately jumps up from her chair at the lunch table and gives her father a long embrace.

Fellow students and teachers were on hand for the special occasion.

Naval SW2 Petty Officer Ravenell has been stationed in Guam for the past three and a half years and has not seen his daughter during that entire time. 

Here is the video from that tearful, heartfelt reunion:

Since serving in the military, Ravenell has been all over the world. In 2015, the U.S. Navy featured him in a holiday greeting from Rota, Spain where he wished his family in Pineville a “Merry Christmas.” Watch the greeting at this link.

Pictured: Naval SW2 Petty Officer Claude Ravenell (Credit: U.S. Navy)

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Nikki Gaskins Campbell
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