CASTLE ROCK — Air Force Reserve Lt. Col. Herb Rose gave his three children a gift they will never forget: himself.
Rose had been deployed in Qatar since January and was supposed to return home two weeks ago, but couldn’t because he was still needed.
“I know they were disappointed, but this will make up for it,” Rose said.
On Wednesday, the children were presented with a very large box wrapped in blue paper during an assembly at their school, Sage Canyon Elementary.
Colton Rose, 8, was joined by his sisters, OakLeigh, 5, and Sophia, 4, to unwrap what they thought was a prize won during a school-related raffle.
When their father popped out, the elated children rushed him and clamped on with all their strength.
“I’m so happy and really surprised,” Colton said, as he hugged his father around the hips. “I though it was going to be a bouncy castle, but this better.”
Rose had communicated with his family through Skype during his deployment, even going over homework with Colton.
Seeing his children’s faces on the computer was nice, but it couldn’t replace their hugs, he said.
“I just really feel good right now,” Rose said. “I knew this was going to be emotional.”
School officials worked with Rose’s wife, Sheryl, to make the homecoming surprise happen.
“I just wanted to do something special for them that they would always remember,” Sheryl said.
Rose is a reservist for Air Force Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs. He has been in the service since 1995 and will retire in October, he said.
Sage principal Carrie Stephenson said it was an honor to have Rose surprise his children at the school, in front of all the students and staff.
“We wanted to do this for him and wanted it to be special for the family,” Stephenson said. “It also shows all the children that there are things going on all over the world, outside our country.”
After Rose popped out of the box, everyone at the assembly sang “The Star Spangled Banner,” as some waived signs bearing welcome home messages.
“This was perfect,” Sheryl said, as she wiped tears from her eyes.
After the assembly, the family was planning on going home and enjoying the evening together.
“We are staying put,” Sheryl said, “and I am going to make him a home-cooked meal, which I know he has been waiting for.”
Ryan Parker: 303-954-2409, rparker@denverpost.com or
