Father, daughter reunite at daughter's promotion ceremony

By Cpl. Daniel Eddy, 196th MPAD, 1st Armd. Div., USD-CSeptember 24, 2010

Congratulated
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – BAGHDAD - 1st Lt. Aiana Janica Garin (right), a communication officer with B Company, Division Special Troops Battalion, 1st Armored Division, United States Division - Center, and a Bremerton, Wash., native, is congratulated by Chief Warrant Officer ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Father pinning
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – BAGHDAD - 2nd Lt. Aiana Janica Garin (left), a communication officer with Company B, Division Special Troops Battalion, 1st Armored Division, United States Division - Center, and a Bremerton, Wash., native, is promoted to first lieutenant Sept. 19 by... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Hat
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – BAGHDAD - 2nd Lt. Aiana Janica Garin (left), a communication officer with Company B, Division Special Troops Battalion, 1st Armored Division, United States Division - Center, and a Bremerton, Wash., native, is promoted to first lieutenant Sept. 19 by... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Oath
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – BAGHDAD - 2nd Lt. Aiana Janica Garin (right), a communication officer with Company B, Division Special Troops Battalion, 1st Armored Division, United State Division - Center, and a Bremerton, Wash., native, reaffirms her commissions oath Sept. 19 as ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

BAGHDAD -- Two United States Division - Center Soldiers enjoyed a small Family reunion Sept. 19 when a father was able to promote his daughter at Camp Liberty, Iraq.

That Sunday evening, Warrant Officer Romeo Garin, a maintenance technician with 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, USD-C, and a Bremerton, Wash., native, promoted 2nd Lt. Aiana Janica Garin, a communication officer with Company B, Division Special Troops Battalion, 1st Armored Division, USD-C, also a Bremerton, Wash., native, to 1st Lt. in front of a crowd of fellow Soldiers.

"This is a great Family affair," said Lt. Col. Lane Turner, commander of DSTB, 1st Armd. Div., and an Atlanta native.

This is Aiana's first deployment; her father's first deployment was with the 1st Armd. Div. in 2003 for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Aiana said when her father first deployed to Iraq in July, she knew she wanted him to be the one to promote her.

"It's a huge deal," Aiana said with regard to her father promoting her. "It means a lot to me to be serving under the same division as my dad. This is my first promotion and it was an honor."

Romeo said he was very proud to have the chance to promote his daughter and that the Army Values helped him raise his daughter.

"I can apply it to my kids on how to be successful in life and how to discipline yourself," he said.

Even though father and daughter are in the same division, they are not in the same location. Aiana is stationed at Camp Liberty and Romeo is stationed farther west, at Camp Ramadi. Romeo was at Camp Liberty for a maintenance course and was fortunate enough to have the dates coincide with his daughter's promotion.

On this day, it was the Romeo's turn to promote his daughter. Next year, Aiana will return the favor by promoting her father to CW2.

Related Links:

United States Forces - Iraq