Air Force Airman returns to Lubbock, surprises kids in heartfelt school visit

LUBBOCK, Texas — Three students at Frenship ISD ended their week on a high note Friday – a surprise visit from their father, an Air Force airman.

Master Sergeant Madaleno Martinez was stationed at Princeton Air Base in Saudi Arabia, for six months was ready to make up for lost time with him family who are the world to him.

“The last six months have definitely been challenging because I haven’t been with them,” said Martinez. “But they do mean the most to my little life.”

Martinez’s three children are Ryan, a 3rd grader at Oakridge, Brooklyn, an 8th grader at Heritage, and Jayden, a senior at Frenship High School, who plans to enlist in the Air Force post graduation. All three children had similar reactions to seeing their father: tears of joy.

Brooklyn was first surprised in the cafeteria at school. Her reaction to seeing and embracing her dad was a testament to the happiness the family felt about simply being reunited: “It’s been a while I haven’t hugged you,” she said to her father.

Jayden expanded on what an embrace from her father meant to her.

“It’s just a dream. You don’t think it’s real at first until you just take a second to hug him,” Jayden said.

Ryan was on his way to recess when he saw his father and ran into his arms. The family told EverythingLubbock.com Ryan was set to turn nine years old on Sunday.

“It’s the best present I ever had,” said Ryan.

Coming up on the tail end of his retirement of his enlistment, Martinez said he is just excited to be by his family’s side and spend time with them.

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