Ernie Barraza reunites with his son, Nathanial, after 10 months in Afghanistan.VISALIA, Calif. (KMPH) -
Hurley Elementary School in Visalia was the sight of the surprise.
Mom, dad and balloons were set.
The walk to the gate was a short one, but after 10 months in Afghanistan, where a phone was the only thing that connected specialist Ernie Barraza to his son, Nathanial, it seems a heck of a lot farther.
Nathanial's mom goes to get him, while Barraza and the balloons wait. A couple of the kindergarten classmates come out, then Nathanial and the surprise reunion happens.
War is filled with ugliness, but the reunion was beautiful as it gets-- father, son and family reunited in safety and good health.
Barraza, of the 1072nd Army National Guard, tells KMPH that his service is done, and that he's home for good.
