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All 9-year-old Tyler Tow of Southgate, Kentucky, wanted for Christmas was for his father to return from deployment, and on Wednesday, he got his wish.
Tyler’s mom, Cara Lalley, told WCPO-TV that Tyler told her all he wanted for Christmas was to see his father, Sgt. Troy Tow, who has been away from home for the last five months.
“For a 9-year-old to come up to me and say, ‘Mom, I would give anything, I don’t want anything for Christmas, I would give it all up if dad could just come home,’” Lalley said.
Southgate Elementary School helped grant Tyler his wish. When Tyler was announced as the winner of a raffle Wednesday, he was told to turn around to see his prize — and there stood his father.
“It was one of those feelings you can’t get all the time,” Troy Tow told WCPO. “It was like my heart was at my feet.”
Lalley said she was moved to see the smile on her on her son’s face.
“Ty’s the man of the house when dad’s away, and that’s a lot to put on a 9-year-old’s shoulders,” Lalley said.
Tyler told WCPO that he understands the sacrifices his father makes for the country.
“He goes out and defends our country and risks his life,” Tyler said.
Troy Tow said that defending the country “is the easy part” of his job, “Being away from family is the hard part.” He added that spending time with his family was also what he wanted for Christmas.
According to WCPO, Tow, who has served in the military for seven years, will be leaving for Kuwait next month.