Graduation Surprise and Military Homecoming at Bradley Central High School

BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) – A Bradley Central High student received a surprise guest at his graduation Saturday morning.

Sgt. Dakota Garrett wasn’t suppose to make it back from deployment in time for his brother Nakoma’s graduation.

When he did, the smile on Nakoma’s face when they locked eyes will just warm your heart.

Three hugs and a few tears later, he was able to welcome home his big brother Dakota.

They say they played XBOX on Dakota’s lunch break every day and Facetimed regularly.

Dakota and his wife arrive in town Tuesday, but hid out in Gatlinburg to avoid running into Nakoma.

The family planned to have Dakota walk onto stage with Nakoma, but when they moved the graduation inside because of rain, the school wasn’t able to allow that.

They decided to move the surprise to the line where the graduates lined up.

A sweet surprise at @BradleyCentral ! 3 hugs later … it’s a homecoming with perfect timing! I think it was a great reason to miss the #RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/uK0PBfwXBE

— Amber Worthy (@AWorthyNews) May 19, 2018