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IDAHO FALLS — U.S. Army specialist Isabelle Torres surprised her 7-year-old son Raiden and 5-year-old daughter Nylah at a Veterans Day school assembly after returning home from a nine-month deployment to Romania.
While the entire school at Temple View Elementary in Idaho Falls gathered to honor veterans in the annual assembly, second-grader Raiden and kindergartener Nylah had no idea who else was coming.
"They're expecting me around Christmas," Torres said in a brief interview before the ceremony. "So it's a little bit early, but I'm excited."
As Torres entered the gymnasium, her children rushed to the front — smiling, crying and embracing their mom with gigantic hugs.
Her mother Vicky, father Cosme, brother Javier and nephew Isaac also joined in the homecoming celebration.
The moment captured a small glimpse of the sacrifices U.S. servicemen and women make to defend the United States and its allies across the globe.
"It's been a long time away from my kids during the past two years," Torres said.
She spent four months in basic training and deployed six months after her graduation as part of Operation European Assure, Deter and Reinforce.
Combined, Torres has already been away from her children for 13 months during her military service.
"On this deployment, it really just opened my eyes to see all the sacrifice that all the past veterans before me have made, especially those with families. It's really hard," she said.
She serves as a transportation management coordinator with the Army Reserve's 949 Movement Control Team, based in Boise. Her unit deployed to Romania in February 2024 on active duty orders.
After completing her tour, Torres flew back to Idaho Falls on Sunday following several weeks demobilizing with her unit in Texas.
"I'm very lucky to have this opportunity to surprise my kids. It kind of fell on the perfect day," she said.
