FORT RILEY, Kan. - Sixteen high school seniors and their Families spoke to deployed loved ones via video teleconference during their high school graduations.
On May 15 and 16, two students from Abilene High School and two from Chapman High School spoke with their parents currently deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. On May 23, four Manhattan High School students and eight Junction City High School seniors got the chance to speak to their deployed parent in Iraq, Afghanistan or Kuwait.
"It was pretty fun," said Kendallyn Baker, Manhattan High School senior. "I was excited about it."
Kendallyn's father, 1st Lt. Chris Baker, 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, was called out on a mission a few days prior to his daughter's graduation, but Kendallyn, her mother, Jennifer, and brother, Corey, came in hopes of seeing Chris.
After technical difficulties and one-way conversations at first, all issues were resolved and the Family was able to see and talk to each other for a few minutes.
Currently on month 11 of a 12-month deployment, this was a rare opportunity for Kendallyn and Corey.
"They're always in school when he calls me, so that was probably their first chance other than letters to talk to him and see him," Jennifer said.
Following the one-on-one conference, Chris also had the opportunity of staying up in the wee hours of the morning to watch his daughter walk across the stage and receive her high school diploma via a live feed.
A Junction City High School Senior also enjoyed his opportunity to speak with his father.
Following Junction City High Schools graduation, Isaac Ruiz, his mother, Maria, and younger brother, Abraham, were able to have a video teleconference with his father, Sgt. 1st Class Antonio Ruiz, Company D, 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Inf. Div.
Isaac said he was excited his dad stayed up later than normal to hear his son's name called and to watch him walk across the stage and receive his diploma.
"I thought it was pretty cool," Ruiz said. "It's pretty nice to know that he actually cares about me graduating. Most people think that graduating high school is just a given but you got to earn it."
The video teleconferencing was made available to Families through the Fort Riley Network Enterprise Center.
"(I am) thankful that they did this for us," Jennifer said.
"I think it's awesome," Maria said. "Too bad not too many people took advantage of it. I think it's great."
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