The holidays, and especially Christmas, can be really tough for military families who are deployed.  While technology like Facetime and Zoom has made communication easier and allows for video calling, there is nothing like being together for the holidays.  For sixth-grade Thomas County Middle School student, Jacen Haro, he not only got to have his mom home for Christmas, but for his birthday, as well.  

Steven asked Jacen what he wanted for his birthday.  His only response was to have his mother home.

Jacen’s father, Steven Haro, and step-mother Laura, surprised Jacen at school on Tuesday with balloons to celebrate his birthday.  After coming into the classroom, he told Jacen that he had one more surprise.  Jacen’s mother came into the room, and the surprise was complete!  

Jacen’s mother, Andrea Smith, has been deployed to Korea for the past year, so the surprise to have her home was the best Christmas and birthday gift ever.  Jacen’s father, Steven, is also in the military, but is stationed stateside at Moody Air Force Base.  

Jacen plans to spend the Christmas holidays with his mother in Gatlinburg.  His mother, Andrea, will return to Korea in January to finish her short tour, and will then return to Moody Air Force Base in August.