Every home game, the Boston Bruins honor those who serve and protect our country with their “8-Spoked Salute” during one of the nine in-game TV timeouts. To no surprise, the sold out crowd of 17,565 get on their feet and give soldiers a standing ovation during this.

Saturday, however, it got a little dusty at TD Garden.

During a break in the first period, Coast Guardsman Mike Palelli, who has been deployed to 13 different countries to help train foreign country forces with the Middle Eastern team, made his return to the United States after his recent nine-month service, and he picked a Bruins game as his first appearance. His six-year old son, Massimo, also attended the B’s game versus the Blue Jackets, and little did he know he was in for quite the surprise.

In case you missed this, you might want to grab a tissue as a son and father reunite.

Video via the official Bruins site.