Monticello soldier surprises his kids

DUBUQUE - On Wednesday, two young children in Monticello got the surprise of a lifetime.

While adjusting to her second day of first grade at Sacred Heart Catholic School, Libby Busha was told that a KCRG-TV9 crew was in her classroom working on a back to school story. For part of the "story" Busha was asked how she spent her summer, and if she spent a lot of time with her family.

"Yeah, but my dad is in the Army. He's going to be coming back," Busha said.

But Libby, and her brother Caleb, didn't know that after nine months their dad was already home from Afghanistan. In fact, Specialist Kent Horstman was walking into their school while they spoke to the camera crew.

"I haven't seen them in so long, I wanted to see their faces," said Specialist Horstman.

This is Horstman's second deployment overseas. He says knowing his kids are growing up while he's away is a sacrifice.

"People are starting to worry that this is kind of a forgotten war. But we enjoy the people who support us," Horstman said.

There are at least two little ones who will never forget - and for now, it's all about enjoying time with their dad. Specialist Horstman will be home in Monticello until September 1.

He says his first stop will be to "Toys-R-Us" for two new bicycles.