October 17, 2025 -- There wasn’t a dry eye in Dora Giannetti’s first-grade classroom at Hooper Avenue Elementary when U.S. servicemember and father Chris Gable surprised his daughter after returning from deployment. It was all part of a special moment dubbed “Operation Homecoming.”

The reunion with his daughter evoked strong emotions from teachers and students. One classmate was even heard saying, “That makes me cry.” Same here, buddy.

Welcome home, Chris — and from all of us at Toms River Regional Schools, thank you for your service!