Kaitlyn Gainous received a graduation surprise.

At East Union High’s commencement exercises last Friday, she was greeted by her brother, PFC Cory Gainous.

He’s a 2010 graduate of the school and spent the past year stationed in Afghanistan. Cory had not seen his family at all during that time, according to Principal John Alba.

Karl Knutsen helped change that. But first the long-time Junior Reserved Training Officer Corp instructor contacted the family to say otherwise.

“He called the family to let them know we would honor Cory, who would miss (his sister’s) graduation,” Alba said on Saturday.

Cory Gainous was one of Knutsen’s former JROTC students.

A special seating area was created for the 16 members of the Gainous family.

At the organization of the graduation, Alba requested that Kaitlyn come to the front of the students.

He explained to the students that Kaitlyn’s brother had been gone for one year, and that the school would honor him.

She was then asked what she would say to her brother if he was at the EU graduation.

“You know what – just turn around and tell him yourself,” recalled Alba of the emotional reunion that took place between the siblings as well as the teachers and students.

Prior to that, Cory stayed hidden from view in the JROTC classroom, where, earlier, he met first-year JROTC Commander Kevin Holeman.

After being reunited with his sister, Cory was escorted by JROTC cadets to the area where his family was sitting.

Alba said the emotions were overwhelming with the family.

Cory Gainous was again recognized by speaker Tyler Bertao during the graduation ceremony.

He was cheered by the large crowd at Dino Cunial Field.