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Military dad feels 'blessed' to be reunited with wife and son days before Christmas

4:32
Military sergeant surprises his family for the holidays live on 'GMA'
ABCNews.com
Kelly McCarthy
ByKelly McCarthy
December 19, 2018, 2:23 PM

Many military families are preparing for a holiday with a loved one far away, but for the Black family, their Christmas wish came early.

Sgt. Tyler Black, who has been deployed in Iraq since May, was prepared to spend another Christmas apart from his wife Holly and 9-year-son Will who live in Texas.

VIDEO: Family gets a surprise reunion from their military dad
1:33
This military dad came home early for Christmas to surprise his family
Holly, Will and Tyler Black in May 2018 when Tyler was deployed to Iraq.
Courtesy Black Family

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(MORE: Mom's creative Santa letter reschedules Christmas for parents who work on Dec. 25)

"GMA" invited the mother and son to participate in what they thought would be a segment on military families.

Holly Black and her 9-year-old son Will joined "GMA" for a military family Christmas surprise.
ABC News

Just as the pair said they wish they could tell Tyler how much they "love him and miss him," he appeared with a video message.

"Miss you guys -- wish I was there and could give you a big hug. Oh wait, maybe I can," he said emerging from behind the video wall on the set.

His wife Holly began to tear up immediately as their stunned son ran to embrace him.

Sgt. Tyler Black who was deployed to Iraq surprised his wife Holly and 9-year-old son ahead of Christmas on "GMA."
ABC News

As the 9-year-old clung onto his dad, hugging him and crying, he said, "I am so happy."

"I'm so blessed to be able to be here and spend this precious time with my family," Sgt. Black said. "It's amazing."

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