Local

Sailor returns home for good and surprises young son

HICKORY, N.C. — A local sailor returned home for good and surprised his young son.

CS3 Mark James was serving at sea when his son was born, and came home for only six months of his life before he was shipped out again.

The two reunited Monday in Hickory at the Little Folks School where red, white and blue balloons lined the playground.

Like his friends, one and a half year old Dresden grabbed a swing with no idea that the decorations were in honor of his dad, but soon James and his wife pulled up and surprised their son.

A father home for good after his final deployment.

Assigned to the U.S.S. Enterprise for two tours to the Middle East, he's missed a lot since he has been gone.

"It's been eight months since I've seen him. He's had his first words, walking everything. It's a little crazy - very surreal -- very nice, very nice," said James.

James said he plans to relax and enjoy the quality time with the family, and start school in January.

His wife said it doesn't matter what they do, she is just glad he's back.

"It's amazing, like he said surreal. Glad it's all over it was a good thing for us as a family and country, but glad its over," said James' wife.