Deployed dads get ‘live’ visits from families

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class James Bolinger
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. (AFPN) --  Six deployed dads got a special Father’s Day present from their families here June 15 when they were linked up via video teleconference.

The six Airmen, all deployed to Balad Air Base, Iraq, were told they would be doing television interviews with local reporters about being deployed on Father’s Day. The ploy played out as the Airmen expected at first, with several local television and newspaper reporters on hand to record the event.

But the smiles on the faces of the deployed dads grew when their families appeared on the screens shortly after they began their media interviews. Each father was given 15 minutes to visit with his family.

Staff Sgt. Shon George, an air transportation specialist from the 436th Aerial Port Squadron here, has been deployed for six weeks. He left for Iraq in May, leaving his wife, Christine, and 2-month-old daughter, Alexa, on Mother’s Day.

“(Alexa) is our first child, and we didn’t even get to spend my first Mother’s Day together. I had to bring him on base at 3 a.m.,” said Mrs. George, his wife of seven years. “It is good for him to see (our daughter). He gets pictures in e-mail, but it’s not the same.”

Sergeant George said the meeting was exciting and emotional.

“Usually (dads) get socks or a tie for Father’s Day,” he said. “This was better than everything -- the best gift I could get.”

One of the most emotional meetings was for Tech. Sgt. Bill Vass with his wife and five children.

“I was so sad,” said his daughter, Taylor, who celebrated her 11th birthday the same day Sergeant Vass left for Iraq. “It was the worst birthday present ever.”

The Vass family said it is difficult to allow everyone to talk with their deployed Airman when he calls home every Sunday, simply because there are so many in the family.

“He only has a certain amount of time, so not all of us get to talk,” Taylor said.

“I will do anything to get to hear his voice, but since we are getting to see him that’s even better,” said Megan Vass, the oldest daughter.

But getting Sergeant Vass to the video teleconference without telling him about the surprise took a little effort. When he was asked to do an interview with the media, he declined the invitation. His wife, Michelle, wanted to see her husband, so she got word to his supervisor in Iraq to make sure he showed up at the interview.

“I was so excited to get to talk to him,” she said. “I dropped everything -- work and all.”

The six Airmen said they were glad to see their families, even if only for a few moments. The brief meetings were filled with tears, and the words, “I love you” seemed to make the goodbyes harder.

Maj. Carl Rahn, a pilot deployed from the 3rd Airlift Squadron here, said he would love to be with his family this Father’s Day, but he reminded them of the important work Airmen are doing in Iraq.

“I miss you guys,” he said to his family, “but this is the place to be.”