Soldier surprises kids at school

CWO2 Rich Dubois embraces his two daughters, Katie and Kathy, during a surprise homecoming visit at Russellville Elementary School on Wednesday while his son, Richard, looks on.

Many American soldiers are still serving overseas and many men and women from right here in the area are still stationed in foreign countries making sure the ones they love back home remain in a place where freedom is just a normal part of their everyday life.
For CWO2 Rich Dubois, who has been on active duty for the past six months, serving in the United States Army is something he knew he wanted to do but being apart from his three children was a major sacrifice for everyone involved.
That’s why he knew he wanted to make his homecoming a special experience for his two daughters, fifth grader Katie and fourth grader Kathy, and his kindergarten son, Richard.
On Wednesday, Dubois made a surprise appearance at RES during the time both of his daughters’ classes were in the cafeteria for a Dr. Seuss reading.
With his son in tow, who he had already surprised at West Elementary, Dubois entered the cafeteria holding bouquets of flowers for his daughters and both girls’ eyes grew wide with surprise as if they couldn’t believe what they were seeing.
As surprise turned to excitement, the girls rushed into the arms of their father amid rounds of applause from their classmates and tears from teachers who were standing by.
“I just couldn’t believe it,” Katie said. “I couldn’t believe my dad was really there.”
Kathy said they knew their dad would be coming home soon, but they didn’t know exactly when it would be.
“I’m so excited he’s home,” she said.
Dubois said the surprise was something he had planned even before he left for Afghanistan.
“Being away from my kids was probably the hardest part about being deployed so I wanted this to be special for them,” Dubois said. “If it wasn’t for their support and understanding that what I do helps other people, I couldn’t do this. They mean the world to me.”
Dubois has been stationed in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan, for the past six months serving with Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 101st Division, 159th Combat Aviation Brigade.
Since he’s been there, he has tried to keep in contact with his children through Skype.
When fifth grade teacher Monica Balding found out that’s how the children were communicating with their dad, she suggested the girls and their younger brother, along with the rest of the class, Skype with him during school.
“Allowing the children to Skype with their dad not only helped them get to communicate with each other but it allowed the other students in the classroom to see what soldiers have to go through and what kind of sacrifices they make for our country,” RES principal Kristie Ezzell said.
“They were able to become familiar with Mr. Dubois and develop a connection to a soldier, which is a great thing in light of our efforts here at the school to promote patriotism among the students.”
Dubois said the opportunity to Skype with his daughters’ classes was a great experience for him as well.
“I was so thankful that the teachers allowed me to do this and I appreciate all the encouragement I received from those students,” he said.
After the joyous reunion with his children, Dubois presented an American flag flown over Afghanistan during his time there to Ezzell.
The students of the girls’ classes, including Monica Balding’s class and Hayley Fuller’s class, also presented Dubois with “Welcome Home” banners bearing special messages from the students.
“We are so appreciative of everything Mr. Dubois has done for our country and for his service,” Ezzell said. “We’re glad he’s back home now and able to spend time with his children, who have no doubt missed him very much.”