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Jed Boal and Randall Jeppesen ReportingIt's high school graduation week for most districts in the state, a time for many families to reflect on the past and survey the future. For one Alta High School Graduate, this is a day that wrapped a lot of emotion into a few precious moments.
The processional at graduation is a long-awaited walk. Leading the class in the Pledge of Allegiance is a great honor. Shayla Moore not only led the pledge for Alta High School's graduates, she was going to get to see her dad on a satellite feed from Iraq, or so she thought.
Lt. Colonel John Moore has served in Iraq since December with the 115th Engineers of the Utah National Guard. With careful planning and lucky timing, Col. Moore did better than appearing on a satellite feed, he hugged his daughter on graduation day.
Shayla Moore, Alta Graduate: "I was so surprised. I had no idea this was going on. This was amazing."
Lt. Col. John Moore, 115th Engineers: "This is the best moment. To have missed her senior year, I'm just so proud of her."
Shayla expected to see her dad only on screen.
Shayla Moore: "I thought it was going to go as planned, then he was walking out on stage. It was a huge surprise, the best surprise ever."
Trena Moore, Shalyla's mother, did most of the coordination and cover-up.
Trena Moore: "I'm big into surprises, but the lies, I'm glad they've come to an end finally."
All soldiers miss key life events; this military family is thankful that this one worked out.
Lt. Col. John Moore: "There's been infants born, other big events. Everyone's making a sacrifice."
The family will enjoy the day together, but a full-scale homecoming will have to wait; Lt. Colonel Moore returns to Iraq in the next couple of days.
