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Rock Hill airman shows up at school to surprise son and daughter

ROCK HILL, S.C. — A Rock Hill Air Force reservist who has been deployed for three months surprised his two children at their school Friday morning.

(Click PLAY to watch him surprise his daughter and son)

Airman Jonathan Rodgers surprised his 12-year-old daughter and his 9-year-old son while they were sitting in class at Rosewood Elementary School.

Since he's been away for training, Rodgers’ youngest daughter has been in and out of the hospital. She needed blood transfusions while she struggled through a serious illness.

The children’s mother orchestrated the surprise for her two older children because she said they've helped her support their toddler sibling.

"I just wanted something for the kids to take off all the pressures of everything that's going on," said Mandy Rodgers. "It was really rough. There were a couple days at Levine (Children's Hospital) that were really touch and go with the baby."

Rodgers has been deployed before, many times to the battle lines, but this was the first time he's been to have a surprise welcome home.

"I'm excited to have them all back,” he said. “It's been a long three months."

The children were allowed to go home early so they could spend more time with their father.

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