FORWARD OPERATING BASE PASAB, Afghanistan " In a deployed environment, a Soldier can miss out on many significant events back home, but the opportunity to communicate with family often plays a major role in compensating for that loss.
This Father’s Day, Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, had the opportunity to take back some of those missed moments during a video teleconference June 19 at Forward Operating Base Pasab, Afghanistan.
The video connected Soldiers at the FOB to families back at Fort Drum, N.Y.
“It’s important for our families to realize that we’re doing OK over here and we can see that they’re doing OK back home, because we miss out on a lot,” said Capt. Nate Sharp, company commander for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.
These events can be as simple as a school play, baseball game or family reunion. However, in some cases it can be as important as the birth of a child.
One Soldier in this situation was Spc. Timothy Crush. Crush is currently deployed with HHC, and he missed the birth of his baby boy; the teleconference was Crush’s first time seeing his newborn son, Gabe.
“He’s a very beautiful baby, but I was at a loss for words when I saw him. I couldn’t form any sentences. I didn’t know what to say, but it was enough just to see him,” said Crush, a training room clerk.
Sharp said when Soldiers have the ability to communicate with their families, they are easier to work with, and more likely to have higher morale.
In addition to meeting baby Gabe, Crush was able to see his wife, Kerstin, and 5-year-old daughter, Piper.
Holidays are some of the toughest times for Soldiers away from home, and the ability to keep morale high is vitally important to keep Soldiers motivated and effective.
“Actually getting to see them smile makes me feel great,” said Crush. “But the day doesn’t matter, any time you get to see (your family) is a good day.”
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