Sgt. Knowles surprises his children with early return from Afghanistan deployment

Montana Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Brian Knowles returned to Montana last week, making his way to Malta last Wednesday, and though many of his family and friends knew he would be returning to Big Sky Country after spending a year in Afghanistan, two of the most important people in his life had no idea he was in town.

Brooklynn and Trevor Knowles, ages 11 and 9, are both students at Malta Elementary School. Both children knew their father was coming home from his latest military tour soon, but they didn't know exactly when. Sgt. Knowles stopped by the PCN office that morning to renew hi...