Photo By Sgt. Maj. Nathan Hoskins | Zapata, Texas, native Sgt. 1st Class Noe Barrera, the senior logistician for 1st Air...... read more read more
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CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Like many holidays and special recognition days, here in Iraq, they are just another day, but this doesn't mean that Soldiers who are fathers discount Father's Day.
For at least one 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division Soldier, Father's Day will always be special – no matter where he is – because of the little one that entitles him to the name dad.
Zapata, Texas, native Sgt. 1st Class Noe Barrera, the senior logistician for 1st ACB, the father of Noe Isael Barrera, 10, knows what it's like to go through a deployment constantly wishing he were with his son.
"Within the last four years I've been deployed twice," said the proud father. "I miss (Noe) like crazy."
Barrera is a veteran of Camp Taji, along with his wife of nearly 15 years, Staff Sgt. Tracey Barrera. They both deployed to this same forward operating base two years ago. But being away from his son is not something he grows accustomed to, he said.
"I've been blessed my entire life that I've not only had everything that I needed, but a lot of what I just wanted. Still, there's nothing in this world that I could ask for that could replace me being home with my son and my family," he said.
The difficulties go beyond just being geographically separated from his son. Once he and his wife return from Iraq, he knows that he is the same person, but his son has changed, he said.
"My son can do different things at grandma and grandpa's house that he (is not allowed to do) at my house," Barrera said with a chuckle.
Right now, Noe is staying with his grandma and grandpa, Barrera's parents Beatriz and Gildo Gutierrez, in Zapata, he said.
"I've got to keep in mind that I haven't been there ... I can't hold him to the standard that I (normally) would," he said.
If Barrera was home with his son, who is enjoying his summer before fifth grade begins, he would be taking him fishing and hunting, he said.
His son, an avid hunter and fisherman, or fisherboy, would pick a hunting trip over Disney World and any other trip, said his father.
But since they are thousands of miles away, Barrera settles for the few minutes he gets to spend on the phone with him, he said.
"If I could, I'd call him every day, but it gets a little expensive," he said. "I know the key dates, so if he's got something going on, I'll stay up late to call him in the morning."
Not discounting what Soldiers with no children feel, Barrera admits there is something different stirring in a parent's heart while away from their children, he said.
"It's a special bond that parents have with their kids. I'm not saying it's harder (than those without children), but it tugs at you a little bit in a different way because they're your own flesh and blood," he sad.
Being with his son and wife is Barrera's number one priority in life, so when he is away from any of them, it is always difficult – no matter what day it is, he said.
"For me, my family is it. Because one day I'm going to take this uniform off and all that's left is my family," he said.
For Barrera, who is very proud of his son, a happy Father's Day is every day, he said.
| Date Taken: | 06.15.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 06.15.2007 11:51 |
| Story ID: | 10834 |
| Location: | TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 142 |
| Downloads: | 61 |
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