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GALLERY: Ashland Soldier surprises kids with early return home

Sergeant Major Mike Lederle surprised his children at their school in Ashland Wednesday afternoon. His 9th and 11th graders, Trinten and Samantha, thought they were just attending a flag presentation assembly at Southern Boone County high School. But during the ceremony, their father – who they thought was still on deployment to Afghanistan – walked out to greet them with a hug.

KBIA reporter Russell Chapin took photos of the reunion that you can see here. KBIA’s Daina Schense will also have more during the KBIA newscasts on Thursday.

Lederle was deployed in March to join the Missouri National Guard’s Agribusiness Development team in Afghanistan. According to a Guard press release, the team’s mission ended in May – earlier than planned. The Guard says some members of the team returned home early, wuile others stayed to support the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.