Army Staff Sgt. Luis Aponte Fontanez married Diana Cornejo four years ago. Between them they have seven children.

Luis had already served one tour of duty in Iraq. Last fall he received his second call up, this time to Afghanistan. Luis left with the Army National Guard in January. When he learned that his orders were being cut short and he was coming home a month early, Luis emailed friend Jacqueline Canty at the Oak Lawn Park District for her help in surprising his wife.

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Diana was lured to the Oak View Center to film a video to send to Luis in Afghanistan. In the middle of the filming, Luis entered the room carrying a dozen roses, much to the astonishment of Diana and their children.

“He told me he wasn’t going to call me for two weeks because he was going on a mission,” Diana said. “Every day, I was worried. More than any other week, this past week has been difficult.”

Watch the video of Luis’s early homecoming surprise for his family.

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