Sailor surprises son in school, gets one in return


By Justin Wier

jwier@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

A student at St. Christine School was in for a surprise Tuesday when his father, returning from military service in Bahrain, surprised him in his classroom.

Jason Davis left to serve in the Navy seven months ago. He came home because his wife, Jana, gave birth to their daughter, Jocelyn, on Saturday.

Their 6-year-old son, also named Jason but who goes by J.P., hadn’t seen his father since he left.

When Jason walked into his kindergarten classroom Tuesday afternoon, J.P. screamed “Daddy!” and jumped into his arms.

Jana said the experience was awesome.

She had called J.P.’s teacher, Joann Matune, to say her son would be missing a few days of class, and Matune suggested having Jason surprise his son. She approached St. Christine Principal Walter Carpenter with the idea earlier Tuesday morning.

However, Jason was in for a surprise himself.

Carpenter had the students line the hallways of the school, beginning outside, through the front door, down the stairwell and right up to J.P.’s classroom.

The students saluted Jason and held flags and signs thanking him for his service.

“They went above and beyond,” Carpenter said. “They could have just stood there.”

The students sang the National Anthem and chanted “U-S-A!”

Carpenter said they were excited to be able to honor someone serving their country.

“My students were very appreciative,” he said. “It was kind of emotional.”

Jana was also moved by the display.

“It was amazing,” she said.

“We were not expecting that. That whole situation really blew us away. We were speechless.”

Jana said her husband will remain at home for the next month before returning overseas.