A colonel fought back tears of pride when his airman daughter flew in to surprise him at his retirement ceremony after more than three decades of service.
Dad Alvin Aponte Gonzalez, 56, couldn’t believe his eyes when his daughter, Ariana, 28, showed up at his big day at Fort Allen, in Puerto Rico.
Ariana, who hasn’t known life without her dad being in the military, said she and her mom understand the sacrifices her father has made to serve his country for 33 years with the U.S. Army National Guard, and that he inspired her to join the military herself.
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She is currently serving in the Air Force and based at Patrick Space Force Base in Florida, and knowing this would be the last time her father would be in uniform, she felt she had to be there for the occasion.
Having liaised with her stepmother, Ariana arrived at the ceremony on April 26, walking towards her father, who took a second to compose himself.
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The 56-year-old then put his hand on his head in shock and took a few paces away, fighting back tears at the emotion of the surprise, before the pair shared a salute.
Ariana said: “Knowing this was going to be the last time I would see him in uniform I had to be there; I couldn’t miss his retirement ceremony.
“Multiple family members and friends told me they cried watching the video.
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“A day later, I posted the video online, and it went viral.
“A lot of people were saying they got emotional and with their kind words, I cried too.
“I just want to let my dad know I’m proud to be his daughter, and everything he has done for me I’ll never take it for granted.”
