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Dayton Dragons help with surprise military homecoming

Army Pfc. Mitchell Kirtley wanted to surprise his family in a different way when he returned home from active duty in Afghanistan; on a baseball field.

The Dayton Dragons helped Mitchell Kirtley as he made his return to Dayton to surprise his mother, Jodi Kirtley; father, Ben Kirtley; and sister Madaline Kirtley.  The family was reunited Monday afternoon at Fifth Third Field prior to the Dragons game with the West Michigan Whitecaps.

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“I made a six hour drive yesterday to get up here to Dayton,” Mitchell Kirtley said.  “It wasn’t enough to just see my mom walk across some airport hangar.”

The surprise was planned by Mitchell Kirtley and the Dayton Dragons, who organized a special tour of the stadium for the family before they ultimately were surprised when the Army veteran was waiting for them on the field.

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It wasn’t the first time the Army serviceman surprised his family, in fact, his mother said she thought something was going on “when the Dragons called and asked us certain questions.”

“He’s going to try and top it. This is the third time he’s pulled a stunt like that, but this is the topper right now,” his father said.

Tears flowed from family members as Jodi Kirtley, who has multiple sclerosis, stood up from her wheelchair and walked to embrace her son by the Dragons dugout.

“It’s amazing to have him back,” his sister Madaline said.  “It’s been long waiting for him to be back.”

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