As students sat down and ate their pretzels and other snacks they brought from home, Staff Sgt. Long walked into the classroom with his wife, Casey, and other family members. At first, Ansleigh didn't notice her father walk in as she was eating her snacks, but as she made eye contact with her dad her mouth dropped wide open.
She was overcome with emotion after finally seeing her father in person for the first time in a year. Ansleigh knew her father was returning soon, but she didn't know when that day was coming.
"It made me sad because I haven't seen him in a long time," she said.