A Vestal second-grader was given a thrill this morning when she was surprised at school by the return of her father, a sergeant in the U.S. Army. 8-year-old Ashlynn Orcutt was asked to read an essay she had written about her father, under the impression that the school was holding an assembly to honor the 200th anniversary of the Star-Spangled Banner. In reality, the school was gathered to see Scott Orcutt make his earlier-than-expected return home from Afghanistan. The school worked with Scott to put together the plan to surprise Ashlynn, and although he was in on the surprise, Scott had no idea it would be in front of the entire school. Following the ceremony, students lined the halls to cheer for the Orcutt family as they left for the day. Scott also serves as a member of the Vestal fire department, and upon leaving the school, was met by a group of his fellow firefighters welcoming him home. The fire department then escorted the family home.
