Four Corbin Independent Schools students received a special gift prior to leaving Friday for the Easter weekend.
As students at Corbin Primary School gathered in the gymnasium for what was billed as an assembly prior to the school’s dance planned for that night, Army Staff Sergeant Eddie Clement was on the last leg of his journey home from a tour of duty with the special forcers in Middle East.
Among the students at the assembly were Clement’s four children: kindergarteners Ava and Andrew, first grader Tanner and fourth grader Talan, who had been brought over from the elementary school.
The Clement children were called to the center of the floor by Principal Travis Wilder and asked what they thought made someone a hero.
As they were answering the question, a loud roar went up from the stands as Sgt. Clement, still in his uniform, came through a door behind his children.
Wilder then asked the children to turn around and see who was standing behind them.
The children and mom, April were on smiles as the family was reunited for the first time since September.
“This is great,” Eddie Clement said. “The people back home have the hardest time.”
Clement said barring any unforeseen changes, he should be back home for a while.
Talan Clement said he is looking forward to going camping with his dad, playing Xbox games and foosball and just being with him.
“It feels really good,” Talan Clement said.
