ENGLEWOOD Fla.- The class of 8th grade students at L.A. Ainger Middle School in Rotunda pulled off the surprise of the day. The 8^th grade History Teacher Mary Murnighan was wringing her hands in anticipation.

“I don't think he knows what's going on, we will find outwhen he gets here,” she said.

Students here arranged for the father of one of their peers to be here for a special presentation. Seventh grader Noah Christofferson's father served a tour in Iraq. After returning home, he was injured in an accident while working on the interstate.

“I was doing road construction out on I-75 and a gentlemen came in behind the barriers and ran over me,” said Christof ferson.

For 20 years now Murnighan's classes have been making quilts to present to servicemen. This year they chose Christofferson .

“I was coming in I was told for an award for my kid and when I got in here I was pretty overwhelmed,” said a choked up Christofferson. 

Murnnighan says the quilt project helps her children understand how much work goes in to creating something by hand and it shows them a sense of civic responsibility. Christofferson accepted his gift, but says the men and women still deployed are the real heroes.