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McChord Airman's tearful homecoming surprise

  • Published
  • By Airman Leah Young
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  October 5 was a normal school day for 12-year-old Paxton Baker, until she got called into the principal's office.

With her head down, Paxton slowly walked down the hall to the principal's office. She opened the door to find her father, Tech. Sgt. Raymond Ibay, 627th Air Base Group vehicle maintenance craftsman, with tears in his eyes and his arms out, ready to hug her.

Sergeant Ibay works with the Army as part of a provincial reconstruction team. He had been training for deployment at Camp Atterbury, Ind., since May. He was supposed to go straight from Camp Atterbury to Afghanistan for deployment, but little did Paxton know, he was able to come home for a few days in between.

"I was upset because he's going to miss wrestling season," said Paxton. "But I'm so glad that I get to hug him again before he leaves."

Paxton is on a waiver that allows her to attend her school.  To maintain this waiver, she must keep her grades up and display good behavior.

"When I got called into the office, I thought they were going to say that I lost my waiver and had to go to a different school," said Paxton. "I was already saying goodbye to my friends."

Mrs. Ibay, Paxton's mother, had been planning the surprise for more than a month. She swore her other two daughters, Jasmyne and Rebeka, to secrecy.

"It wasn't hard to keep it from her," said Jasmyne. "We're pretty good at keeping secrets."

Mrs. Ibay also coordinated with the school's principal, Mr. Ron Banner.  Because a large number of children with military parents attend his school, he is familiar with the difficulties that come along with deployments and said he understands the importance of a surprise like this.

"When a parent is gone, it sort of leaves a hole in the child's life," said Mr. Banner. "We do anything we can to support them and fill that void. So, we were very happy to participate in this."

According to Sergeant Ibay, he is grateful for the opportunity to see his family one more time before he deploys.

"It always makes us happy to do something extra for the girls," said Sergeant Ibay. "I'm very thankful for the chance to just spend time with them before I go."