James Brennan, a Marine Corps colonel deployed in Afghanistan since the holidays, had been receiving letters and crafts from his devoted daughter, Caroline, a fourth-grader at John F. Kennedy Intermediate.

A day after he arrived home from overseas, Col. Brennan treated his daughter to a special May 7 visit to her special education class, where he read her chosen book, Jonathan London’s  “Froggy Plays in the Band,” to the students. He was accompanied by his wife, Laura.

Caroline, 9, in turn then read her father a card that she had made for him, before teacher Heather Ciurleo and the class presented him with a patriotic dessert. 

“I’m thrilled to be here,” said the 20-year veteran about the heartwarming reunion.