OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Blue Valley West High School honored veterans and active-duty military Tuesday with music, drill team performances, speeches and an extra special surprise.
Jaguars freshman Shelby Cain’s brother, U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Daryn Murphy, had been stationed at Nellis Air Force Base outside Las Vegas for four months.
He’s about to deploy even further away for an even longer period of time, so he used the Veterans Day assembly as a chance to surprise Cain and see her again.
“My sister’s a freshman and I’m going to be heading back overseas soon," Murphy, who has served in the military for eight years, said. "I thought this was the perfect time to come out and surprise her."
Cain didn’t know what to think when she saw her brother at BV West.
“I was very confused, because I had no idea that he was coming in town," she said. "But I was really excited, so I just kind of ran across and hugged him."
BV West, which opened in 2001, has a legacy of service and sacrifice.
Justin Sisson, a 2007 graduate, was killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan in 2013.
Justin’s father, Kevin Sisson, was at the assembly and applauded the students’ fundraising efforts.
“These kids raised $5,000 and are giving that to Justin’s fund that helps cadets, future leaders and those that have already served that are veterans that are trying to improve themselves back in school,” Sisson said.
