CBS News reported that Navy lieutenant-commander Kevin Vassighi returned home after being deployed for nearly a year overseas and surprised his son in the middle school lunchroom. Tony Dokoupil reported the story, which CBS News published as a video report on its website.
The CBS News summary says the son was in the lunchroom when his father arrived, and it identifies the middle school lunchroom as the only location it gives. The summary describes the deployment as lasting nearly a year and taking place overseas, but it does not name the countries or units involved, the exact dates of the deployment, or the school the son attends.
According to the CBS News listing, the summary includes no quotes from Vassighi, his son, or school officials. The listing also carries no separate author byline, and the reporter credit appears only in the summary, which says Dokoupil reports the piece. CBS News published the item on October 28, 2026, according to the listing's timestamp.
The American Packet has not independently confirmed the account. The details in this report are drawn solely from the CBS News title and summary, and readers seeking fuller accounts would need to consult the original video report published by CBS News.
Sources: CBS News: Navy dad returns home, surprises son in middle school lunchroom.