Local soldier surprises twin daughters

Alejandro Coronado a Chief Warrant Officer three and helicopter pilot in the Army’s 25th Infantry Division out of Hawaii gave his twin daughters Sophia and Sarahri a huge surprise on Feb. 1 by returning home.

Coronado, a 1997 Douglas High School graduate, was deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan and hadn’t seen his daughters for almost a year. He also missed their fourth birthdays on Jan. 25

“It’s really hard not being with them,” Coronado said.

While Coronado was away serving his country his mother Alma Coronado took care of the twins.

“I’ve already lived my life, my children are grown up and right now my twin girls need me,” Coronado’s mother said.

The twins had no idea that their “papa” was coming home and were very stunned to see him.

Coronado along with his family had arranged with Angelita Lomeli owner of Lomeli’s Childcare Center to surprise the girls by showing up at the daycare.

Sarahi was the first of the twins to see her papa walk into the day care. “Papa” the little girl yelled when she first saw him running to the door to greet her father.

It took Sophia a little longer to realize what was going on. She first went to get her painting of SpongeBob. But like her sister once she realized her papa was there she too went to greet him with hugs and kisses.

Both twins were very excited and happy to see their dad, after being away from him for so long.

Coronado’s mom asked him if they still looked the same, he answered by saying yes just the way I left them.

Coronado a single parent is due to return to Honolulu, Hawaii on Feb. 26. He will be taking his twin daughters along with his mother.

“I came back to Douglas to get my girls,” he said. “My mom is going with me to help me take care of them.”