A local basketball referee gets a holiday surprise when his son comes home from Iraq.

The reunion happened Wednesday night at Wayne High school. Before a basketball game, Private First Class Howard Christopher was reunited with his dad, who he hadn't seen in six months.

As it turns out, the evening was a surprise for both father and son.

Howard said, "I didn't know about it. I had no idea. They picked me up in a limo and brought me here."

Howard's dad, Bob Juliano said, "I wasn't able to get out of the game for tonight and I had other commitments for work, so he came. I guess they brought him here, which is the ultimate surprise."

Christopher Howard says he's thrilled to be back on American soil. He also says one of the first things he planned on doing with his dad is have a decent meal.

Howard says he will be home for a month, then he'll return to his base in Alaska.