News : Prom surprise at VSHS: Skype unites senior, boyfriend serving in Afghanistan

John Fank and Ken Brown escorted Kosy Brown to the Grand March.

Kozy Brown speaks to her boyfriend, Breandan Fank, during the VSHS Prom Grand March Saturday.

Kosy Brown prepares for a TV interview about her surprise online Prom night conversation.

Kosy Brown, wearing her Prom dress, speaks to Breandan Fank via Sype at his base in Afghanistan.

Kosy laughs as she speaks to Breandan via Skype.

Although he is in Afghanistan, Breandan Fank saw his girlfriend Kosy Brown on Prom night in Vinton.

As the rest of the Vinton-Shellsburg juniors and seniors stood in pairs or larger groups, waiting to be introduced during the Grand March, Kosy Brown stood toward the end of the line, wearing waiting her chance to stand alone on the stage of the VSHS Auditorium.

She wouldn't have a date for the Prom; her boyfriend, Breandan Fank, is serving with the Iowa National Guard in Afghanistan.

The romantics among Vinton Today readers are probably hoping that this story ends with a surprise visit from the soldier, standing behind the curtain waiting for his date.

That didn't happen.

But what did happen Saturday night was the next best thing.

A few weeks ago, John Fank, Breandan's father, got together with Ken Brown, Kosy's father, and began planning a special surprise for Kosy. Working with VSHS Principal Kirk Johnson, the dads planned a special online meeting for their children on the stage at the end of the Grand March.

Kosy, expecting to walk alone to be introduced to the packed auditorium, instead found herself with her father on one side and Breandan's dad on the other. And waiting on the stage was a large screen, with Breandan there via Skype.

The audience cheered and a few were moved to tears as Kosy saw Breandan and the two began to talk.

"You look beautiful," said the soldier. "I wish I could be there with you tonight."

Kosy was clearly very pleasantly surprised to share the evening this way with her boyfriend.

"I thought I would just come alone and enjoy my last prom before I graduate," Kosy said in an interview on KWWL-TV.

Instead, she spend several minutes speaking to Breandan via Skype. Each could see the other's face and hear the other's voice. Breandan also spoke briefly to his family; mom Dixie and sister Allison were among those attending.

They met in band three years ago. Kosy was a freshman clarinet player. Breandan, who had begun his military training during the summer, was a section leader. After graduation, Breandan joined the Iowa National Guard and is now a sergeant for the 334th Red Bulls. Part of that unit, including Breandan, was assigned to serve with the 133rd, which left last August and expects to return later this year.

The couple's story will also be told on KWWL-TV, and appear on the television station's web site. Click HERE to see that story.