Sixth-grader, Braxton Fraser, 12, presents an American flag flown in Afghanistan to Provost Elementary with a little help from his aunt, and Physical Education teacher, Melinda Case, left, on Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at Provost Elementary in Provo. Fraser's father, Specialist Scott Fraser, surprised Braxton and his nine other children by coming home on leave for Christmas. Specialist Fraser is deployed with the 118th Sapper Unit in Afghanistan until July. ASHLEY FRANSCELL/Daily Herald Dad surprises family with visit for Christmas
Genelle Pugmire - Daily Herald Posted: Wednesday, December 15, 2010 6:16 pm
The only thing Braxton Fraser, 12, kept telling his mom he wanted for Christmas was to have his dad home from Afghanistan. The same was true for all nine of his siblings. His mom Cathleen Fraser told him Wednesday morning a good second present was the flag his father sent him from the war zone to present to his school, Provost Elementary, at an assembly. What she didn't say was that Wednesday afternoon his father would be at the school to give Braxton his own flag.
In a lucky draw, Specialist Scott Fraser pulled Christmas time for his two-week leave. Fraser is with the Utah Army National Guard 118 Sapper Unit based in North Salt Lake.
It didn't matter that Scott Fraser hadn't bathed in four days or that he was covered with Afghani dust from head to foot, that he had been flying for 30 hours, and his final leg from Dallas to Salt Lake was delayed. All that mattered was that he was home.
After a huge family hug, Braxton Fraser told his dad, "I can't believe you knew about this and didn't tell us."
Scott Fraser chimed back, "You got your present, don't expect anything from Santa Claus."
All nine of Braxton Fraser's siblings were at the school with their Aunt Melinda Case, Provost's P.E. teacher. The Fraser kids in order are Kiley, 18; the triplets Braxton, Madison and Brooke, 12; Jordyn, 9; Hailee, 7; Landon, 5; Keaton, 3; Cameron, 2; and Haydon, 7 months.
They had no idea their mom was picking their dad up at the airport instead of going to a doctor's appointment. When they saw their dad walk in the gym there was a hesitation and then they all ran, most of them crying and hugging his arms, waist and legs and saying "I don't believe it."
Scott Fraser was deployed in July and expects to come home after a year. Cathleen Fraser said, "We knew for a while he was coming. Every time I'd ask Braxton what he wanted, I'd just say I don't think so. He told me not to tell anybody."
The family does have a chance to keep in touch with their dad through Facebook. Although it's expensive to use the Internet, Scott Fraser said it is well worth it. "When you've had a bad day, you can come back to the family. Facebook helps, it's nice not to have to wait for letters."
On special occasions they will Skype with each other, but its extremely expensive, so they only do it on birthdays or holidays, according to Cathleen Fraser.
Scott Fraser doesn't let his family know what he is doing most of the time. He is a combat engineer and often works with defusing bombs. One person in his unit died just within the past two weeks.
"His commitment to his country is second to none," said Richard Case, a brother-in-law. They have been buddies since their days in the police academy and Case was Fraser's boss at Harper Excavating in Salt Lake.
Scott Fraser served as a Provo police officer for nine years and as a Utah County Sheriff's deputy for two years. He also served on the SWAT team. According to Case, he left the business because it was hard on his family. He went into the national guard and even changed units so he could deploy sooner and get done earlier.
Only a few people were in on the surprise visit -- even Scott Fraser's siblings didn't know about it. The family planned to have a party to surprise everyone Wednesday night.
When asked what he planned to do during his two-week leave Scott Fraser said, "A whole lot of nothing. I just want to be with my family."
Genelle Pugmire - Daily Herald Posted: Wednesday, December 15, 2010 6:16 pm
The only thing Braxton Fraser, 12, kept telling his mom he wanted for Christmas was to have his dad home from Afghanistan. The same was true for all nine of his siblings. His mom Cathleen Fraser told him Wednesday morning a good second present was the flag his father sent him from the war zone to present to his school, Provost Elementary, at an assembly. What she didn't say was that Wednesday afternoon his father would be at the school to give Braxton his own flag.
In a lucky draw, Specialist Scott Fraser pulled Christmas time for his two-week leave. Fraser is with the Utah Army National Guard 118 Sapper Unit based in North Salt Lake.
It didn't matter that Scott Fraser hadn't bathed in four days or that he was covered with Afghani dust from head to foot, that he had been flying for 30 hours, and his final leg from Dallas to Salt Lake was delayed. All that mattered was that he was home.
After a huge family hug, Braxton Fraser told his dad, "I can't believe you knew about this and didn't tell us."
Scott Fraser chimed back, "You got your present, don't expect anything from Santa Claus."
All nine of Braxton Fraser's siblings were at the school with their Aunt Melinda Case, Provost's P.E. teacher. The Fraser kids in order are Kiley, 18; the triplets Braxton, Madison and Brooke, 12; Jordyn, 9; Hailee, 7; Landon, 5; Keaton, 3; Cameron, 2; and Haydon, 7 months.
They had no idea their mom was picking their dad up at the airport instead of going to a doctor's appointment. When they saw their dad walk in the gym there was a hesitation and then they all ran, most of them crying and hugging his arms, waist and legs and saying "I don't believe it."
Scott Fraser was deployed in July and expects to come home after a year. Cathleen Fraser said, "We knew for a while he was coming. Every time I'd ask Braxton what he wanted, I'd just say I don't think so. He told me not to tell anybody."
The family does have a chance to keep in touch with their dad through Facebook. Although it's expensive to use the Internet, Scott Fraser said it is well worth it. "When you've had a bad day, you can come back to the family. Facebook helps, it's nice not to have to wait for letters."
On special occasions they will Skype with each other, but its extremely expensive, so they only do it on birthdays or holidays, according to Cathleen Fraser.
Scott Fraser doesn't let his family know what he is doing most of the time. He is a combat engineer and often works with defusing bombs. One person in his unit died just within the past two weeks.
"His commitment to his country is second to none," said Richard Case, a brother-in-law. They have been buddies since their days in the police academy and Case was Fraser's boss at Harper Excavating in Salt Lake.
Scott Fraser served as a Provo police officer for nine years and as a Utah County Sheriff's deputy for two years. He also served on the SWAT team. According to Case, he left the business because it was hard on his family. He went into the national guard and even changed units so he could deploy sooner and get done earlier.
Only a few people were in on the surprise visit -- even Scott Fraser's siblings didn't know about it. The family planned to have a party to surprise everyone Wednesday night.
When asked what he planned to do during his two-week leave Scott Fraser said, "A whole lot of nothing. I just want to be with my family."
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