Returning Marine surprises kids at Tampa International Airport

TAMPA - The mission was getting seven-year-old Arianna and five-year-old David to open an oversized present before they figured out what's inside.

With a cell phone in each ear, their grandmother, Dana Barrow was coordinating it all.

Tanya McKinley is the kids' mom. She knew what was inside. She told her children it was a gift so big, they had to come to the airport to pick it up.

"My son thinks it's Buzz Lightyear and my daughter is hoping it's a dress," said McKinley.

Sorry kids, no Buzz Lightyear and no dress.  It turned out to be something they weren't expecting: Their father.

Marine Sgt. David McKinley got back from Afghanistan months ahead of schedule and got inside the box to surprise his kids.

"We were fortunate enough to have our mission kind of accomplished rather quickly," said McKinley, who is stationed at Camp Pendleton in California.

His wife knew he was coming, but still broke down and hugged him tight when he walked into the terminal. He'd only been gone a couple months this time, but McKinley has served in the Marines for 18 years and has been stationed around the world.

His family pitched in to fly him to Florida where his wife and kids were spending the holidays with the grandparents in Oldsmar.

"Five day ago we started in Afghanistan. We went through Germany, Canada, California. And now I'm hear with the kids," said Sgt. McKinley.

Arianna and David will have plenty of toys at home, but they also have dad.

And the best news of all, Sgt. McKinley won't be going back to Afghanistan. His tour of duty there is over.