When a sixth-grade teacher from Carnegie Elementary School in Pennsylvania told her students to write about heroes in their lives, one of her students instantly knew who he was going to write about.

The minute 11-year-old Damon Chiodo got the assignment, he knew he was going to write about his brother, U.S. Army Specialist Devin Tomei, who had been overseas for the past two years maintaining helicopters to ensure the safety of other soldiers during missions.

“Hundreds of Army missions depend on these helicopters. And my brother must make sure that all of them are safe and ready to fly,” Damon wrote in his essay, which he read in front of his school during an assembly. “My brother is brave and smart. He is always there for me, even if I just want to talk.”

“I am very proud of him for choosing to protect me, and everyone in the United States. He is not just my brother. He is also my friend.” As Damon read his essay in front of his classmates, his hero walked out on stage to surprise him after two long years apart and shared the exciting news that he’ll be home until the end of October. And after the long-overdue visit home, Devin will be sent to Fort Campbell in Kentucky.

Watch the entire video below to see the awesome moment this little boy is reunited with his hero brother.

How would you react if a loved one surprised you like this after years apart? Let us know what you think in the comments below and please SHARE this with friends on Facebook.

[Featured image: WTAE-TV Pittsburgh]