Local Solider Returns Home From Afghanistan

MIDLAND -- Osama Bin Laden's death has raised a lot of questions. One big question being, will we begin to see more service men and women return home?

For one Midland family, that dream has already become a reality. Corporal Gerardo Benavides served in Afghanistan for 7 months before returning home Sunday night. But he didn't see his family right away. Instead, he waited a little longer and made it a big surprise. It all took place Monday at Henderson elementary.

The Benavides kids were called onto stage in front of the whole school to compete for a prize. They didn't realize the prize was their father. After seven months of communicating only by telephone and Skype, the family was finally re-united.

"I want to stay at home and play with them," said Gerardo Benavides. "That's all I want."

Corporal Benavides said the time away from his family was hard, but knowing his efforts helped capture Bin Laden made it worth the sacrifice.

"Knowing what we were doing over there helped a lot," Said Corp. Benavides.

But its not just the men and women abroad who are fighting. We can't forget the families who stay behind.

"Its hard," said Corp. Benavides. "You got to cope with it, and I know my wife does a good job of watching over them."

And while some of their classmates may be too young to understand the significance of recent events, they were still excited for the Benavides family.

"A lot of our kids weren't around when 9/11 happened," said Henderson Elementary Principal Geta Mitchell. "A lot of them don't realize guys fighting for them and their freedom right now."

While Corporal Benavides could be called back at anytime, he got to walk his kids home from school.

Although Bin Laden's death is a big advancement on the war on terrorism, its not the end. Soldiers will continue fighting overseas, making homecomings like this one a special celebration.