National Guardsman on deployment catches flight back to America in time to receive master's degree

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Deployed national guardsman honored in college graduation ceremony

Lt. Daniel McLaughlin, a member of the National Guard who was deployed in Afghanistan, was permitted to come home early in order to attend his Kennesaw State University graduation ceremony.

A National Guardsman who spent the last seven months in Afghanistan has managed to make it home just in time to receive his master’s degree – and a standing ovation – at a graduation ceremony in Georgia.

Lt. Daniel McLaughlin, who walked across the stage at Kennesaw State University Thursday night, was able to cut his deployment short by a few weeks and catch a cargo flight back to America, Fox5 Atlanta reports. He then was given a 48-hour leave to collect his masters of science in information technology.

Lt. Daniel McLaughlin made it home in time to attend a graduation ceremony at Kennesaw State University in Georgia. (Fox5 Atlanta)

"I didn't think that was gonna happen," McLaughlin, who completed his coursework online while overseas, told the station. "I was thinking about maybe ordering myself a gown and just taking a pic overseas or something.

"With that flight coming in, it was just truly an amazing thing to actually be here and walk in person after all that hard work and late nights," he added.

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McLaughlin after receiving his degree during the ceremony. (Fox5 Atlanta)

McLaughlin’s wife, children and in-laws attended the event, which brought the entire auditorium to its feet in applause when his presence was recognized, Fox5 Atlanta reports.

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"Lt. McLaughlin just flew in last week, and while he is technically still deployed, he has made a special trip to Kennesaw State tonight to accept his degree,” University President Pamela Whitten said.