Deployed Airman receives call from president

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Randy L. Mitchell
  • 447th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
BAGHDAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Iraq (AFPN) --  An Airman here received an unexpected early Christmas surprise when she received a call from the commander-in-chief Christmas Eve. 

Staff Sgt. Melina Russell, a security forces fire team leader, received that call at 4 p.m., when the White House switchboard put the president through to her. 

She had learned Dec. 21 the commander-in-chief would be calling Christmas Eve to thank her for her service in Iraq. 

“I thought it was a joke at first,” Sergeant Russell said. “I didn’t know my name had been submitted by my home unit.” 

As the day arrived and she was about to speak to President George W. Bush, Sergeant Russell fought past the nervousness as she picked up the phone. 

“I was really nervous at first, but after hearing his voice I relaxed,” Sergeant Russell said. “It was like talking to an old friend I hadn’t heard from in a while.” 

The call lasted only about two minutes, but Sergeant Russell said it was a memory she would always cherish; especially since she was able to share it with her husband, Frank, also deployed here from the 96th Security Forces Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. 

“I will never forget him asking about my daughter, Natalie; who is staying with my mother in El Paso, Texas, and sending my husband Staff Sgt. Frank Russell a hug,” she said.