"It was a heartwarming moment for all," their principal told InsideEdition.com.
A morning assembly at this Connecticut school was less than routine when the deployed military father of three students was the surprise guest of honor.
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Sgt. Antoine Gibeau came home from his 11-month deployment in Africa Sunday night.
On Monday morning, he dropped in on Prospect Elementary School’s morning assembly. His three kids Tyler, 9, Gavin, 7, and Madison, 5, were among the 600 students in attendance.
“[Their] mom came to see me at the end of last week,” Principal Rima McGeehan told InsideEdition.com. “Since we already had a community meeting planned, I suggested surprising the kids at the end of the meeting.”
By their response, it was clear they were surprised.
As the crowd erupted in applause, Tyler, Gavin and Madison timidly walked up to the front of the gymnasium and enveloped their father in a hug.
“I can’t even describe it, it’s so amazing,” Gibeau told WFSB. “I didn’t sleep all last night.”
Read: Beast From 'Beauty and the Beast' Steps In for Deployed Dad at Father-Daughter Dance
Their mom Alisa Rosson, said she wanted to do something fun for the kids now that they’re old enough to enjoy it.
"I wanted to hug him," Tyler said.
"The kids were thrilled," McGeehan said. “It was a heartwarming moment for all."
Watch: Deployed Airman Disguises Himself as Catcher to Surprise His Kids at Baseball Game
