By MaryHelen Swanson
When 3rd-grade teacher Lori Tiegen told her class yesterday that there was a change in class schedule, the kids weren’t unduly concerned.

It was not until 1SG Jim Formanek walked in to greet his son Dylan that they understood the reason for the change. And Dylan, who hasn’t seen his dad since February, looked up and calmly said, “Hi Dad.”

Dad’s big surprise wasn’t such a shock after all. Perhaps it was the twice weekly visits through Skype that kept the two close.

Certainly, it was much better than when Dad was gone the first time, when Dylan was three, then it was just a phone call that kept them united.

Jim Formanek returned from Basrah, Iraq and is home until Nov. 19, when he returns to Iraq until February, and then he’s back for good.

Dylan appeared dazed, and in fact, eventually said he felt like he was in a dream, when his dad walked in the room.

Dylan has had some difficult times while his dad was away. He suffered a ruptured appendix and had to be whisked to the hospital in an ambulance.

Also missing dad, is Dylan’s four-year-old sister who was next on the surprise trip this week. Dad and the family were going to pick her up at day care.

And First Sergeant Formanek’s mother got a bit of a shock Tuesday, also.

She had just finished washing the windows on her home when she looked up and saw her son walking down the sidewalk.

Dylan was excused from class for the rest of the day.

Before leaving, however, many of his classmates had things to say to Dylan’s dad.

Formanek will probably go back to school in the next couple of weeks and visit with the kids some more.

He appeared sincerely interested in each child’s comments about who they know in the military.

When thanked for his service to the country, for  having to be away from his family, Formanek looked fondly at his son and said, “They’re worth it.”

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