‘Happy Tears’: Yukon Homecoming Celebration Welcomes Father, Soldier Back Home

The Yukon Millers are a tight-knit community -- and nothing brings a community together like high school homecoming. Alumni come back home – but someone else made a surprise appearance.   

A homecoming reception took place at Yukon High School where people return to remember the past and capture new memories. A moment where pride crescendos to a home-field advantage because there is a score to settle.   

“The pure joy of having your family unit together again,” said Heather Jarvis, a Yukon parent. Jarvis’s daughter Emelyn is on the homecoming court, “Which is just huge for a high school girl,” Jarvis said. 

Emelyn’s father Joseph is deployed with the Army National Guard 45th Field Artillery Brigade, “It’s hard every time,” Jarvis said. 

Homecoming celebrations feel different for the Jarvis family, “I lost my parents when I was young, so I know that feeling of not having your person with you,” Jarvis said. 

However, on Friday night, Joseph Jarvis made a homecoming trip of his own, “It’s so surreal,” Jarvis said. A feeling of disbelief for Joseph who lived out a dream. “It was like is this happening? Is this real life?” Joseph Jarvis said. “Today was extremely exciting.”  

He got his chance to walk his daughter onto the football field, “Once and a lifetime opportunity,” he said. Joseph knows memories are created by walking alongside the people he loves.   

An emotional Friday night for sure – but the best kind.   

“Happy tears,” Heather Jarvis said. “Happy tears.”  

Family means everything and people are grateful their soldier made his way back home.  

“It’s just been the best day for the Jarvis Family,” Jarvis said.