Two Sand Springs children, first grader Zane Johnson and his little sister, kindergartener Zoie, wrote letters to Santa Claus several weeks ago asking for only one thing, to bring their dad home from serving in Iraq.
PFC. James Johnson is a soldier in the United States Army.
“They actually wrote six or seven letters asking Santa to bring their dad home,” said their mother Jodi Johnson.
Jodi and James are no longer married but remain close friends. The children have not seen their dad since he deployed in July. PFC. Johnson has been with the army just over a year.
“He is still my best friend,” said Jodi.
James got approval about two weeks ago that he was approved to be home in Sand Springs for the holidays, he contacted Jodi immediately to tell her the good news.
That’s when Jodi called the children’s school to see if they could coordinate a surprise visit where Santa Clause would bring dad home during a school assembly. The school liked the plan.
On Thursday afternoon, Sand Spring Public Schools’ superintendent, Brett Banker addressed the students at Anderson Elementary and asked Zane and Zoie to come to the front of the room. Their mother was there with them.
“These two wrote a very special letter to Santa Clause,” said Banker.
“I wrote it and drew a picture and put it in the mail box,” said Zane. Zoie told FOX23 News all she wrote was for her daddy to come home.
Then Banker announced Santa Claus was making a special visit and he is bringing a special treat. Santa walked in the gym doors with all the children waiting to see what he brought. That is when Zane and Zoie saw their dad.
They both ran and jumped on him. The three hugged each other for a couple minutes as the audience watch and cried.
PFC. Johnson stay for two weeks then he has to return to Kuwait.
