Naval Officer Surprises Son On Football Field After Deployment

WESTWOOD (CBS) - Sixteen months ago, Monica Poitras became the single mom she never expected to be, didn't quite know how to be.

"It's very hard. You don't realize it until you become that single parent and it's a different kind of single parent," said Monica Poitras.

Two tours ago, 12-year-old Duncan Poitras had to learn he'd need to rely on others to perfect his football skills.

"It's a long time to be without your parent, they were like, 'Dad's missed the best year we've ever had. Mom doesn't buy the right snacks, only dad does.' It's their way of saying, 'We miss dad,'" said Poitras.

Lt. Jason Poitras, a Naval officer, had most recently been deployed at Guantanamo Bay. He hadn't seen his three boys in nine months.

So when the Lieutenant returned home this week – early - his wife and son's football coach devised a plan. They would surprise Duncan at his Mass Elite Football camp Friday.

The soon-to-be seventh grader was completely unaware his dad was approaching him from behind, as WBZ's Julie Loncich pretended to interview him about football:

Loncich: "Sounds like you have the whole family here. Where's dad?"
Duncan: "Um, he's coming back Monday. He's deployed in Cuba."
Loncich: "Oh, is he? Which branch of the military?"
Duncan: "He's an intelligence officer. Lieutenant, I think. I'm not sure."
Loncich: "When was the last time you saw him?"
Duncan: "Maybe in the winter, around then. The football season."
Loncich: "So it's been a long time?"
Duncan: "Ya, but he's coming back Monday."
Loncich: "Maybe he's not."

To his surprise, the Lunenburg middle schooler turned around to find his father. "Now you get to come see my game tomorrow!" Duncan Poitras told his father.

Lt. Poitras will be at most games, because after nearly a year and a half, he's home for good.

And that means, "Everything, everything. It's why we do what we do, right? It's about our families," said Lt. Jason Poitras.