GILBERT, AZ — Chris Fulton has served in the U.S. Army for nearly two decades.
His first deployment was in 2009, during Operation Freedom. He was deployed overseas a second time in 2020-2021. Most recently, he was deployed to the Middle East for nearly a year, but he is home once again.
ABC15 was there on Monday when Fulton arrived at his daughters' Gilbert elementary school for a special homecoming surprise.
Fulton stood behind a stage curtain during the school’s lunch hour and was revealed to the students, including his beloved daughters, after an announcement from the principal.
Watch the heartfelt celebration in the video player above.
See more from Uplifting Arizona:
Big-name Valley figures among those playing pickleball for Operation Santa Claus
Donation of 14,000 Nike shoes uplifts Arizona Title I athletes
Cinnamon rolls for a cause this holiday season
Mesa seniors send thousands of holiday cards to service members worldwide
STEM students at Durango Juvenile Detention Facility make go-carts for holiday parade