Last Wednesday, six-year-old Gabriel Hurles got a birthday surprise.

According to The Associated Press, his mother brought cupcakes into his kindergarten class to celebrate the occasion.

She also brought a 4-foot tall box covered in wrapping paper. Inside, Gabriel found a gift better than he could have imagined.

Gabriel’s father, Army Spc. Casey Hurles, popped out. The two had been separated while the elder Hurles served his second tour in Iraq. His leave began the day of his son’s birthday and he decided to do something special to celebrate. After their reunion, he joined in the festivities and ate a cupcake.

I don’t have a family member serving overseas; I can only imagine the stress, pain, and fear that such a long and difficult separation must entail. To be six-years-old and so far from your father must be beyond difficult. That can only make the day he gets back all the more special.

A lot of people don’t believe we belong in Iraq. Whether it’s our place to be invading and occupying sovereign nations is a difficult question to answer. Tempers tend to flare on both sides of the issue. Normally compassionate people call each other names I wouldn’t print, even in a college publication.

Amid all that vitriol, it’s nice to be reminded every now and then that even in such a contentious war, there are moments like this of love and joy. People who support the war and those who don’t can come together in moments like these. We can all celebrate with Gabriel and his father and share in their joy. I hope they have a wonderful two weeks together.

Here’s to wishing Gabriel a happy belated-birthday, his father a safe conclusion to his tour, and all the men, women, and children affected by this war a quick return to their families. That’s something people of all political stripes can agree on.

-Nathaniel French

Opinion Editor