Soldier surprises wife, daughter at Vikings game

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Military Appreciation Day during the Minnesota Vikings game at the Metrodome drew the loudest cheers when one soldier, home early from Kuwait, had a chance to surprise his wife and daughter.

Minnesota National Guard Staff Sgt. Mathew Helget waited patiently in a suite at the stadium until it was time for a special presentation. His wife, Jaime and 8-year-old daughter Maddison stepped out on the field in front of 50,000 fans to watch a video greeting from Helget on the JumboTron. They thought he was still in Kuwait. It had been six months since they last saw him.

Then Helget walked up behind his family. Jaime’s jaw dropped, tears flowed and the three were soon embracing as the crowd cheered. Helget tells KARE-TV that it’s a reunion he will never forget.