Deployed Navy Lt. Commander comes home early; surprises daughter at high school graduation
Posted: Updated:One graduate at Carle Place High School received more than a diploma at the commencement ceremony held Friday.
Kerry Carrera was feeling sad because her father, a Navy commander, told her he couldn't come home from his deployment in Africa for her graduation.
School Principal Tom DePaola told Carrera that her dad wanted to do the next best thing and join the ceremony via cellphone.
“Honey, I want to tell you how much I love you and to apologize. I'm sorry I missed your birthday. I missed your prom. But I definitely wasn't going to miss this day,” Lt. Commander Luis Carrera said on the phone call.
He was actually hiding in the crowd, wearing a cap and gown, disguised as one of the teachers until the big reveal.
The daughter-father reunion drew the crowd to their feet.
“It was very overwhelming because I didn't have any idea that he was here or that he could fly out here,” Carrera said.
As a career Navyman, Lt. Commander Carrera has missed many milestones in his only child's life while serving overseas, but he made it his mission to be at her graduation.
Lt. Commander Carrera says aside from his daughter's birth, seeing her graduate from high school was the best moment of this life.
NewsMore>>
Police: 2 arrested; third suspect wanted in Valley Stream robbery
Police: 2 arrested; third suspect wanted in Valley Stream robbery
Police say two men were arrested and a third is on the loose following a robbery in Valley Stream Saturday.Police say two men were arrested and a third is on the loose following a robbery in Valley Stream Saturday.Sesame Street puppeteer Caroll Spinney dies at age 85
Sesame Street puppeteer Caroll Spinney dies at age 85
Sesame Street puppeteer Caroll Spinney dies at age 85
Sesame Street puppeteer Caroll Spinney dies at age 85
Caroll Spinney, who gave Big Bird his warmth and Oscar the Grouch his growl for nearly 50 years on "Sesame Street," died Sunday at the age of 85 at his home in Connecticut, according to the Sesame Workshop.Caroll Spinney, who gave Big Bird his warmth and Oscar the Grouch his growl for nearly 50 years on "Sesame Street," died Sunday at the age of 85 at his home in Connecticut, according to the Sesame Workshop.Multiple people injured after armed home invasion in Riverhead
Multiple people injured after armed home invasion in Riverhead
Riverhead police investigate possible home invasion at apartment complex
Riverhead police investigate possible home invasion at apartment complex
Riverhead police are investigating what witnesses say was a violent home invasion at an apartment complex Sunday morning.Riverhead police are investigating what witnesses say was a violent home invasion at an apartment complex Sunday morning.Red Cross: Apartment fire displaces 10 in Great Neck
Red Cross: Apartment fire displaces 10 in Great Neck
The Red Cross says 10 people were displaced following an apartment fire in Great Neck Saturday.The Red Cross says 10 people were displaced following an apartment fire in Great Neck Saturday.Paws & Pals: Exotic animals and their care
Paws & Pals: Exotic animals and their care
This week's Paws & Pals segment focuses on exotic animals and the difficulties owners can have when adopting one.
This week's Paws & Pals segment focuses on exotic animals and the difficulties owners can have when adopting one.
This week's Paws & Pals segment focuses on exotic animals and the difficulties owners can have when adopting one.This week's Paws & Pals segment focuses on exotic animals and the difficulties owners can have when adopting one.
SlideshowsGalleriesMore>>
Dog Day Fridays for Dec. 6
Dog Day Fridays for Dec. 6
Manny is a 5-month-old male, Lab/Spaniel mix from Texas. He's an extremely playful, energetic and bouncy pup. He would thrive in a high energy home!
Manny is a 5-month-old male, Lab/Spaniel mix from Texas. He's an extremely playful, energetic and bouncy pup. He would thrive in a high energy home!
This week's dogs are up for adoption at Kent Animal Shelter. The shelter is located at 2259 River Road Calverton, NY 11933. Their phone number is 631-727-5731.This week's dogs are up for adoption at Kent Animal Shelter. The shelter is located at 2259 River Road Calverton, NY 11933. Their phone number is 631-727-5731.Chinese lantern festival lights up the sky above Citi Field for the holiday season
Chinese lantern festival lights up the sky above Citi Field for the holiday season
A new lantern festival has taken over Citi Field, lighting up the sky starting Friday.A new lantern festival has taken over Citi Field, lighting up the sky starting Friday.Your Long Island 2019 Holiday Photos
Your Long Island 2019 Holiday Photos
From sparking holiday lights to fun Santa photos, News 12 wants to see your holiday photos!From sparking holiday lights to fun Santa photos, News 12 wants to see your holiday photos!2019 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
2019 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
2019 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
2019 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
The 87th annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting ceremony was held Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019 in New York.The 87th annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting ceremony was held Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019 in New York.Your December 2019 Storm Photos
Your December 2019 Storm Photos
Do you have photos of the winter storm from the December 2019 storm? We want to see!Do you have photos of the winter storm from the December 2019 storm? We want to see!
