Surprise military homecoming at Oakleaf Junior High volleyball game

An Orange Park Navy father surprised his daughter at her volleyball game on Monday night after seven months of deployment.

When 12-year-old Abby Callipo showed up to Oakleaf Junior High School for her game, she had no idea her father Chief Brian Callipo had just arrived home from his eighth deployment.

Callipo was deployed in Bahrain.

“You should’ve told me!” Abby said to her father.

His wife Christina Callipo said her husband was promoted to chief during the deployment and also received a maintainer of the year award for all of Naval Aviation.

Callipo was reunited with his wife and his 13-year-old son Kaleb and 9-year-old daughter Olivia shortly before the game.

Callipo said it’s the little things he misses most when he’s away.

“Just the everyday being around these guys. Hugs, yeah, because she gives some of the best hugs. Just family time,” he said.

While her father was deployed, Abby’s mother said she not only made the volleyball team, she worked her way up to team captain.

Cox Media Group