ROCKINGHAM — First grader Jorja Moore got the surprise of a lifetime Thursday morning when her father, Sgt. 1st Class Chris Moore of the U.S. Army, walked through a side door of her East Rockingham Elementary School classroom.
She was sitting on a mat as one one of her classmates was working at the board, but it took Jorja only a second to notice who walked into the room.
“Daddy!”
Chris Moore leaned down to catch his little girl as she flew into his arms. He picked her up and she locked her arms around his neck, resting her head on his right shoulder. She wasn’t expecting him home for another two days and had not seen him in nearly a year.
Fresh from his third tour of duty in Taji, Iraq, Chris Moore brought personalized dog tags on ball chain necklaces for each of Jorja’s classmates, and key-chains for her teachers. His daughter’s class had been sending him cards and letters, and he said he wanted to thank them by giving them something in return.
Debbie McIver, teacher assistant, wiped away tears from her eyes during the minutes-long embrace.
Jorja’s mother, Mandy Moore, was also there. She and Chris Moore had waited in the school office before making their appearance, while Principal Jamie Greene said the class had been told they were about to receive an award.
“They’re gonna be disappointed,” said Mandy Moore. “We should’ve brought cupcakes.”
Chris Moore worked to untangle the dog tags — engraved with the students’ names — before handing them off one by one to Jorja Moore who passed them out. She read each of her classmates’ names off the tags and as each one reached her she and her dad draped the necklaces over their heads.
“I’ve never heard them so quiet,” Mandy Moore said. “They’re usually so chatty.”
Chris Moore said he was glad to be with his family, home from his fifth tour of duty in the Middle East. Prior tours included two more in Taji, and two in Afghanistan.
“It’s a big relief,” he said. “It’s also the most nervous I’ve been since forever. This is the first time she’s actually been able to realize that I’ve been gone.”
Asked what it was like to have her father back home, Jorja Moore answered, “Exciting!”
Chris Moore said he is looking forward to retiring in two more years, and he’s hoping to finish up in Fort Bliss, Texas, home base to his cavalry unit which he says has been fortunate on all five tours.
“I count it a success anytime I can bring everybody back,” he said. ” So far we have had no injuries and I hope it stays that way.”
Mandy Moore said when her husband left for Taji last year, it was not long before she made the decision to return to her native Richmond County.
“It was August and there we were,” she said. “And I told Jorja, ‘Pack up your stuff, we’re going home.’ So we loaded up the Volkswagon and I drove 1,700 miles to get back home. Now I’m just so glad to have my family together. Now our plans are to finish out the school year, be here ‘til the end of the month — then on to Ft. Bliss.”
Richmond County Schools Superintendent Dr. Cindy Goodman was also on hand to witness the the reunion, at the invitation of Greene.
“I was so grateful Mrs. Greene included me in this moment,” she said. “And the fact that it occurred the same week as Memorial Day made it extra special.”
Later Thursday, the family planned to relax and take their new dog Lucy for a nice, long walk — together.
Editor William R. Toler contributed to this story. Reach reporter Melonie McLaurin at 910-817-2673 and follow her on Twitter @meloniemclaurin.
