A father who has served in Africa for the past year surprised his family at the 4th of July Parade that they went to every year in Florida.

Luke Mellenthin, a 2nd class petty officer in the Navy, knew he had to surprise his family at the annual parade in Brandon, Florida, on Wednesday.

'I've been gone for a year. I am really excited,' he shared with WTSP.

'When I found out I was coming home close to the fourth, I figured what better way to surprise my kids than the parade we normally go to on the Fourth of July.'

Luke Mellenthin, a 2nd class petty officer in the Navy, knew he had to surprise his family at the annual parade in Brandon, Florida, on Wednesday

Passing out beads to different folks throughout the parade, Mellenthin anticipated the reunion with his family.

'I just spent the last year deployed with Coastal Riverine Squadron 10 over in the horn of Africa in Djibouti,' he added.

The father-of-three-was disheartened that he missed out on some important life milestone for his kids.

The father-of-three-was sad he had missed helping his daughter with her sea cadet training and his youngest child getting potty trained

'My daughter has been working with the sea cadets so I've been missing working with her on that,' he said as he was thanked for his service.

'My boys, one graduated kindergarten and the other one finally got potty trained and he is getting started in kindergarten.'

For Mellenthin, service means doing what he can to help his family and other families across the country.

'I just spent the last year deployed with Coastal Riverine Squadron 10 over in the horn of Africa in Djibouti,' he shared

He said: 'I do it for families that want to enjoy freedom. I do it for my family and for everybody else's family'

He said: 'I do it for families that want to enjoy freedom. I do it for my family and for everybody else's family.'

The father finally spots his kids and all four run to embrace, sharing a long loving hug.

'I'm excited to be home and spend some time with them for a little while,' he said.

The man hugs his wife as he rushes his family off the road so that they aren't in the way.

The father finally spots his kids and all four run to embrace, sharing a long loving hug