Little did 8-year-old Paislee Fulgham, a second-grader at Kosciusko Middle Elementary School, know that she was in for the surprise of her young life when she agreed to read “Cat in the Hat” to first-graders in her former classroom at Kosciusko Lower Elementary School as part of the school’s Read Across America Dr. Seuss Week.
As Paislee neared the end of the book, someone in a “Cat in the Hat” costume approached her at the front of the classroom. As the character removed the hat and mask of his costume, Paislee broke into a wide smile – it was her dad, Staff Sergeant Travis Fulgham, who the girl and her little sister, McKinlee, 4, had not seen in nearly a year.
Fulgham had only a couple of days before returned to the area following his deployment to Kuwait as a member of the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team as part of Operation Spartan Shield.
The soldier cried as he embraced his daughters, eliciting cheers from the students and adults — both school staff and Fulgham family members — cheered.
Fulgham then told the class about his service before leading the Pledge of Allegiance with Paislee at his side and McKinlee in his arms.
After the formal event, Fulgham posed for pictures with members of his family, including his mother, Cindy Fulgham, who embraced him tightly, and everyone enjoyed refreshments.
