Dawson County teacher surprised by Marine son on Veterans Day

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A Dawson County teacher received a special surprise on Veterans Day. 

Robin Sanford's 18-year-old son, Lance Corporal Josh Woodward, joined the Marine Corps last year and hadn't seen his family in six months. It's the longest he had ever been away from his family, but he was able to pull off an incredible surprise Friday morning. 

Woodward knew Veterans Day, a day when all eyes are on those who serve our country, would be the perfect time to surprise his mother, who works at Robinson Elementary School in Dawsonville. 

FOX 5 News was there as Sanford learned her son was in the building during an annual Veterans Day program at the school. Their emotional reunion was priceless and brought tears to Sanford's eyes. 

"I was overwhelmed," Sanford said. "I had no idea, it was such a nice surprise." 

Woodward was a member of the Junior ROTC program in high school and actually graduated early to join the Marines. Once he graduated from boot camp, he was sent to Yuma, Arizona. The last time he saw his family was on June 27 when he left for Arizona.