Army specialist surprises daughter, 4, at SeaWorld show

Father deployed to Afghanistan for a year

Army Specialist Eric Espinosa is reunited with his four-year-old daughter, Alexis, at Shamu Stadium.

ORLANDO, Fla. – A huge SeaWorld fan, 4-year-old Alexis Espinosa has seen the Shamu show several times, however, Thursday was the first time she watched it with her father, Army Spc. Eric Espinosa, who she hadn't seen in a year.

Espinosa of Cocoa Beach has been serving in Afghanistan for the past year as an Army combat engineer who was responsible for finding, defusing or activating improvised explosive devices.

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As usual, the Shamu show, One Ocean, started with a tribute to all active and retired servicemen and women in the audience. But Thursday, Alexis was amazed to see her face appear on the giant ShamuVision screen as the announcer said there was a special surprise in the audience. She was even more surprised to see her father appear behind her on the screen.

Alexis looked around to find her father and instantly ran to greet and hug him.


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