KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — This was a huge surprise!
Lieutenant Commander Zachary Smith surprised his family with a return home during the Tennessee men's basketball game against Illinois.
According to a video from Tennessee Athletics, Lieutenant Commander Smith's family thought they were watching a video message from him deployed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Tennessee Athletics said his family had not seen him in 10 months.
But to their surprise, Lieutenant Commander Smith came home sooner than they realized.
Before surprising his family, Lieutenant Commander Smith spoke with Tennessee Athletics about how nervous, yet excited, he was about seeing his family again.
"I'm just super excited to get back together with them and be able to see my family again," he said.
Vol fans screamed "U.S.A., U.S.A.!" as he greeted his family with hugs and kisses.
Welcome home, Lieutenant Commander Smith and thank you for your service.
