Over the years, we have done many stories about soldiers being reunited with their loved ones. Each of those stories has been unique, compelling and important.
When 11-year-old Siri Jordan saw her dad for the first time in about four months - his visit home from a second deployment in Iraq a total surprise to her - the reunion was beyond words.
Siri is a pretty amazing little girl. Her reaction brought tears to many eyes. It's really pretty impressive when a bunch of hardened journalists pause for a moment and say, "Wow, that was powerful!"
It really was.
Since the first story aired, I have received a lot of emails about the reunion now seen around the country and I have to say, it's very refreshing to see that people are still paying attention, that people can still be moved and motivated by a simple moment of pure emotion. To me, that's inspiring.
I just want to share a couple thoughts about how we did it. Siri's grandmother knew why we were at the airport. Siri did not. And like grandma, we sort of stretched the truth a little so we didn't spoil the surprise. We told Siri we were there to do a story about the high price of travel. With her grandmother's permission, I asked Siri if we could connect her with a microphone so we could shoot some video of her and her grandmother. As we stepped away, the microphone disappeared - meaning Siri forgot it and us were even there. When Siri spotted her dad across the crowd, the emotion you saw on television was genuine.
The reunion was easy. I'm sure for Siri and her dad, having to say good bye again will not be. But that's life and I think Siri taught us all a life lesson that day about cherishing every moment. She certainly does.
(Copyright 2008 by KARE 11. All Rights Reserved)