Airman reunited with daughters at Griggs Road, Clover High schools

Raymond Graves and his daughters have been apart since he was deployed in late September with the N.C. Air National Guard. They were reunited Thursday at two Clover schools amid tears, hugs and laughter.

Students clapped and cheered as Master Sgt. Graves surprised his three daughters Stephanie Graves, 6, and Jennifer Graves, 10, in the cafeteria at Griggs Road Elementary and Samantha Lee, 17, at Clover High School.

“I was so excited when I saw my dad,” said Jennifer, a fourth-grade student. “It was very stressful when he had to leave. He’s like my friend; he’s always there for me.”

Samantha, a Clover High senior and student athletic trainer, was told that an injured student needed her help in the gym. She found Graves there instead, surrounded by a group of students.

“The world,” Samantha said, when asked what his return meant to her. “He’ll be here for graduation and prom.”

Graves, 46, was deployed to the Middle East, where he works as a ramp services superintendent. He said the surprise reunions were arranged by his wife, Tracey Graves.

“I feel complete again,” Graves said, hugging his three girls after the second reunion at Clover High. He added: “My girls are my rock.”

Tracey Graves said her daughters knew their father was coming home this week. But she said they expected to celebrate his arrival Thursday night.

“They needed something to boost themselves,” she said about the reunion. “They needed a surprise. These girls deserved something special.”

Tracey Graves, who has been married to Raymond for 14 years, said she’s thilled he’s home. “I don’t have to do the weed eating; I don’t have to change the oil in the car,” she said.

Ramond Graves has been in the Air National Guard for 13 years. The family moved to the Clover area from Indiana two years ago, he said. The family has two older sons in Indiana.

Graves said his recent deployment isn’t the only time he’s been separated from his family, but it is the longest. Six years ago, he spent four months in Afghanistan.

But Graves said he won’t have to be separated from his family again soon. For now, they plan to share family time, including a special adventure later this month.

Said Jennifer: “We’re going to go to Disney World.”

This story was originally published April 14, 2016 at 3:57 PM with the headline "Airman reunited with daughters at Griggs Road, Clover High schools."