This Army Dad Flew 7,000 Miles to Surprise His Son

Nicolas Schott's dad had never seen him wrestle or play football in person, and the high school senior thought his dad wouldn't see him graduate in person either.

He was wrong.

(Image source: screengrab via WCIV-TV)

“He’s never seen me wrestle in person," Nicolas told WCIV-TV. "That was a big thing for me because I’m the captain. He’s never seen me play football. It’s fine because of the fact it’s the thing he does."

Nicolas' dad is U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jamie Schott, a dedicated military man who served four tours in Iraq and one in Kuwait.

Nicolas thought his father wouldn't make it to his high school graduation Friday, but that didn't stop him from delivering a speech on the importance of military service.

Nicolas Schott. (Image source: screengrab via WCIV-TV)

He had no idea his dad was waiting in the wings.

Staff Sgt. Jamie Schott waits in the wings to surprise his son onstage. (Image source: screengrab via WCIV-TV)

The elder Schott had found out he'd be able to make the nearly 7,000-mile journey home for the graduation in South Carolina months ago, but he kept it a secret and enjoyed a tearful reunion with his son onstage.

As befits a soldier and his athletic son, the pair told WCIV-TV that their first post-graduation stop would be for a bite to eat.

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