Children reunited with parents in school assembly surprise

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Two students at the Mary Walsh School in Springfield were in for the surprise of their life Friday morning.

Seven year-old Trinity and five year-old Zion Phillips had not seen their parents, both sergeants in the U-S Army, for the past six months.

Little did they know that during a school Veterans Day assembly they participated in Friday morning, they would be reunited with their mom and dad.

“This is the best Veteran's Day that I've ever experienced,” the children’s mother, SSG Juanita Phillips said. “Being here, being able to share it with the city of Springfield. So yes, this is one we'll never forget.”

Faculty said this was a living lesson for all of the students, of what Veteran's Day is really all about.

"It's a good witness, it's a good lesson for the students and I think they were all stunned that something like this could happen, and it was just wonderful," said Claire Labonte of Mary Walsh School.

Juanita said that being a military family can be both rewarding and difficult. The Phillips work as a team and are appreciative of the help from those closest to them.

"My mom and dad and my sisters and my family, if it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be able to do what I love; and I do love serving in the military," she said.

Both Juanita and her husband, Eon have to return to training on Monday, because they are being deployed to Afghanistan this summer. However, they plan to have an early Thanksgiving dinner with their family over the weekend.