Navy Officer Returns from Iraq to Surprise Daughter

South Dakota native Robert McGregor is a chief petty officer in the US Navy and spent nine months working at one of the largest prisons in southern Iraq.

Sunday night he was home with his family, but not before surprising his eight-year-old daughter at school Friday afternoon.

An ordinary day at school for Kaitlin McGregor turned into the best day of her life.

Her father was supposed to come home after the first of the year, or, so she thought.

Over the past few weeks, Kaitlin’s mom has been busy.

Now Kaitlin and her little sister, Jessica, realize it was all for this moment and it seems fitting to have the surprise at school.

"Her school has done a lot for me since I’ve been gone, sending letters and pictures, so to have the chance to surprise her and see her friends and teachers was nice," says Robert McGregor.

"Just happy to be home. Be back home with my girls.  It was a long nine months.  Good to be home for the holidays, just to spend time with them again," he says.

McGregor says this was his final deployment and he's looking forward to getting life back to normal with his family.

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