Military dad surprises daughter on superhero day at school

BILOXI, MS (KTRK) -- For a Mississippi elementary school student, Monday morning was one day at school she won't soon forget.

Alexia Richardson raised her hand to answer a question on stage in front of her classmates: Name a superhero who does not wear a cape.

Little did she know, her own hero stood tall at Popp's Ferry Elementary after serving a seven-month deployment in Afghanistan.

Tech Sergeant Casey Richardson teamed up with his wife, an assistant teacher at the school, to surprise their daughter, who has taken their long separation very hard.

"They have a very tight relationship, so it's really bothered him being gone, but I think that she's going to be so happy," Charity Richardson, Alexia's mother, told WXXV-TV.

"This was my first deployment, so I had to learn a lot. It was tough being over there, being away from my family, and I'm very happy to be back," said father Casey Richardson.

Tears, hugs, and applause filled the gym as the Richardson family reunited.

Even though it took Alexia a few seconds to realize what was happening, she could not be more ecstatic.

"I never expected this. I'm so excited that my dad's finally home after so long," she said.

The homecoming fell on superhero day at Popp's Ferry Elementary -- perfect timing for the reunion, and a perfect example of a hero who does not wear a cape.