Dreams do come true

  • Published
  • By Chip Steitz
  • 10th Support Group Public Affairs
TORII STATION, Japan --  The huge box appeared Dec. 10 wrapped with a Christmas bow, and all the young fourth graders in Ms. Paige Miller's class at Kadena Elementary School waited with anticipation to learn what may be inside.

As the students came into the class Dec. 13, there was a sense of eagerness as AFN was present along with the school principal. The students settled down, and Ms. Miller started reviewing assignments and reminded the class that the Christmas-decorated box came from a place far away and contained a very special gift for one of the students.

Miller then asked 9-year-old Ashliyn D. Burgos to come forward.

Placing her hand on the box, the Christmas wrapping suddenly gave way and 1st Lt. Sharjuan P. Burgos appeared, holding back tears as she gazed upon her beautiful daughter. Both embraced with smiles and tears. The true joy of Christmas was felt throughout the room and maybe throughout the entire school and community.

Lieutenant Burgos was deployed in May to Afghanistan for a one-year tour and was slated to return in December for "R and R," but decided to come back unannounced to surprise her daughter, Ashliyn. Ashliyn thought her mom wouldn't be back until Dec. 20.

Burgos said she wanted to arrive during the last week of school before the Christmas break so she could meet Ashliyn's teacher and friends, and spend time with her in a school setting, since she was deployed long before the school year started.

Burgos plans to attend upcoming field trips and other planned activities at the school with Ashliyn before she returns to the deployment immediately after Christmas.

In September, Burgos spoke to the Principal of Kadena Elementary, Stan Hayes, who thought it was a wonderful idea.

Hays said it was something he "had never seen or done before," and was very eager and excited to participate in such a wonderful Christmas gift for a child in his school.

"The teachers worked hard to assure that everything was coordinated - even constructing a gigantic Christmas gift, in which Burgos was placed inside," explained Hays.

According to Miller, "the class originally thought they had won a surprise by getting their classroom's name pulled out of a hat."

Miller told the class that AFN was on-hand just to observe a classroom setting before the holiday season.

Both Lieutenant Burgos and her husband Sgt. 1st Class Geraldo Burgos are Equal Opportunity Advisors for all Army servicemembers on Okinawa stationed at Torii, making them a dual military family.

Sergeant Burgos has been taking care of his daughter while his wife deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, as he will have to deploy again one day as well. The family elected that they would not serve in a deployment together (as dual military couples have the choice) or at the same time, as their children would be left alone with no parent at all.

Ashliyn has been able to continue the joys of life, and has currently made the Honor Roll this year and won two volunteer awards.

Yes, miracles do happen.