Son Has Surprise Reunion with Biological Father in Army Training: ‘Unbelievable’

“It was like looking in a mirror," Pfc. William Reeves said of meeting his biological son Brayden after living separate lives

A young man and his biological father were reunited in the Army after living separate lives for years.

On Aug. 28, the U.S. Army’s Fort Leonard Wood Public Affairs Office shared the “unbelievable” story about the unexpected reunion.

In July, Brayden Sumare, 18, entered Fort Leonard Wood to complete his initial entry training.

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On his first night, Sumare noticed a striking similarity to his bay leader, an older trainee whom everybody called “Pops.”

“The next day, I was laying down in my bunk as the bay leader was walking around getting all the new people’s names for the roster,” Sumare recalled. “When he got to me, he asked my last name, and I said ‘Sumare.’ And then he asked, ‘Brayden Hunter Sumare?’ ”

A surprised Sumare replied, “How did you know that?”

The bay leader’s answer left the teen “shocked” as Pops identified himself as William Reeves, Sumare's biological father.

“It was unbelievable,” Private First Class Reeves said. “What are the chances we both joined the Army and were at Fort Leonard Wood at the same time for our training?”

Sumare and Reeves had only met once before, four years prior. And at the time, the teen remembered his dad looking very different.

“When I met him, he had long hair and a full beard. When I saw him at reception, he had a buzzed haircut and was cleanly shaven,” Sumare said.

They also reflected on the coincidence of Sumare calling Reeves “Pops” before he even knew he was his actual father.

“I’m almost 40; I have life experience. My peers lean on me for that. They started calling me 'Pops' and it stuck,” Reeves said.

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After the two were reunited, Sumare couldn’t help but call his mother, Amanda Sumare, to share the news.

"I was so very shocked. It is the craziest thing ever,” she said of the situation.

Reeves admitted that Amanda’s pregnancy when they were younger was “unexpected.”

“We did a DNA test when he was born, and he was mine. Our lives had gone in different directions and Brayden’s mother was living in Wyoming, engaged to the man who eventually became Brayden’s adopted father,” Reeves explained. “I supported him financially but decided I didn’t want to be too involved and upset Brayden’s solid family unit.”

Related: Army Dad Flies Home from Overseas to Surprise 'Emotional' Son at High School Graduation

Both biological parents said they were proud of Brayden, with Reeves adding that watching him in the Army allowed him to see “familiar mannerisms.”

“It was like looking in a mirror,” Reeves said. “My fingers are crossed I may be able to attend his graduation next month. I like to joke — I am going to build the Army’s bridges, and he is going to drive his truck over it.”

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