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Soldier-dad surprises daughter on her birthday
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Posted on May 11 2005
Princess Concepcion, a first-grade elementary student at the Garapan Elementary School, got a surprise treat during her birthday last Monday when she and her 19 other classmates got a visit from one of the most important persons in her life—her dad.
Princess’ father, Specialist Lawrence Concepcion, just came back late last month from a seven-month deployment with the 411th Engineer Battalion, Camp Falcon and Ferrin Huggins, in Baghdad, Iraq.
Gov. Juan N. Babauta and staff invited the elder Concepcion and other servicemen last Monday for a courtesy lunch with government officials at Aqua Resort Club. Babauta said the activity is part of his recent program to recognize CNMI soldiers who are serving in the U.S. military.
Concepcion said that, while they were talking during lunch, he mentioned to the governor that it was his daughter’s birthday. The governor immediately told Concepcion that they would visit his daughter at her school.
GES principal Yvonne Gomez and school administration staff members welcomed the visiting officials and Concepcion and took them to the room of his daughter under teacher Alyssa Murphy’s class.
Princess was shy at first when she saw the governor and the other officials but soon lit up when she saw her father and mother. Concepcion took her daughter in his arms for a birthday hug.
He said he wanted to surprise his daughter because it has been a long time since he saw his daughter in school.
Concepcion said he wants to see his daughter off to school as often as possible before he is deployed again. He said he would grab every opportunity to spend more time with his children.
Princess is the youngest child among three siblings. Concepcion’s eldest is already 11, next is 9, and Princess just turned seven.
“All I can say right now is that I’m glad I’m still here,” he said, while he held and kissed his daughter in his arms when asked how he feels about his deployment to Iraq.
“We are very fortunate we are here.”
