Soccer player is stunned by her biggest fan when her veteran dad returns from deployment
Even for a 20-year Army veteran, being away from home can be challenging, especially when you're leaving a young family behind. Army Major George Miller hadn't seen his wife, Gina, and children, Trenton and Bella, in almost a year while on deployment in the Middle East. So, when he finally got his orders to come home, he decided to make his return extra special.
Watch the video to see Major Miller surprise his daughter at her soccer game.
With help from staff at Cornerstone Christian Schools in Texas, where his 6th-grade daughter is on the Warriors' soccer team, he arranged to show up at a game in secret. Then, disguised as a school security guard, Major Miller snuck onto the field during the national anthem while Bella was facing the flag.
Once the anthem finished, his daughter was confused to hear her name announced over the PA system. But as she walked out to the center circle, she noticed her dad's name on the jumbotron.
"Hey, that's my dad!" she said, before realizing that he wasn't just there in spirit but also in person.
After hugs and tears, Bella got back to business, helped by some pre-game advice from her father, a former soccer player himself.
"Don't pass the ball. Score!" the Major told her.
Okay, it's not the sort of advice Bella's coach might have given her, but she took it to heart. And in the opening minutes of the game, she netted the Warriors' first goal in a truly memorable 6-3 win.