Tins of popcorn filled the Grant Elementary cafeteria, for what looked like a typical fundraising and recruitment meeting to one Scout of the Hawkeye Area Council. Yet to Scout Austyn B.’s surprise, he would discover the meeting was more than meets the eye – it was actually a family reunion in disguise.

To kick off the event, Austyn’s unit leader invited him to the front of the room to introduce a mystery guest. The leader handed the Scout small notecards, each with one or two words written.

“Please welcome home from active service, Staff Sergeant Brent Meyer, my dad,” he read aloud.

After that final word, Austyn’s dad entered the room and the Scout cried with joy.

With the exception of FaceTime chats, Austyn hadn’t seen his dad for more than a year since his departure to Qatar where he’s serving in the U.S. Army.

“I’m glad I can be back, it’s the sacrifice of being gone for so long,” said SSgt. Meyer. “It’s hard on the children obviously, but you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do. It makes it even sweeter when we do get to see each other.”

Watch the touching reunion in the video below and catch the full story at KCRG-TV9.