The teary surprise reunion happened at lunch – six months after Sgt. Altasia Johnson was called overseas.

“I wanted to make it more special and surprise her,” Johnson said.

Aleya, 13, was staying with her grandparents while her mom was in Afghanistan.

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Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com