Graduating from the Sports and Medical Sciences Academy in Hartford, Connecticut, Alexis Smith was speechless as she walked across the stage to discover her father had made it home for this important milestone. Alexis thought that Master Sergeant Phillip Smith with the Air Force was still in Asia when he appeared on stage. This surprise, months in the making was important for MSgt. Smith because he missed seeing Alexis off for prom, celebrating her 18th birthday, and will be deployed when she leaves for college.