A Santa Clarita boy got a heartwarming surprise Friday when he was reunited with his brother, a United States Airman, at his sixth grade graduation.
Devan Altmayer was sad to learn his brother, U.S. Airman Dylan Ryndak, would not be attending his graduation. But what he didn't know was that his family had secretly planned a surprise visit from his brother, who had been deployed for more than a year.
When James Foster Elementary School Principal Deborah Bohn announced a "special guest" during the ceremony, Devan looked around and was stunned to find his 19-year-old brother walking in.
"I was speechless," Dylan said, "I couldn't believe he was here to see me graduate."
The pair gave each other a long hug before another brother ran up to join them for the emotional embrace.
"I miss him a lot. I'm glad he's here now," Dylan said.
Ryndak was given a two-day leave to attend the ceremony and said it was important he was there to witness the special moment, especially because the trio of brothers have all now graduated from the same elementary school.
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"[I'm] pretty excited to come out here and watch him do the same things I did," Ryndak said.
