Father and son celebrate Christmas in Iraq

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Raymond Piper | Col. George Smith and his son Sgt. Michael Smith spent the holiday together when his father surprised him with a visit to Camp Baharyia, Iraq, Dec. 23.  

IRAQ

01.03.2008

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Raymond Piper 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

Sgt. 1st Class Raymond Piper
1st Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs non-commissioned officer in charge

CAMP BAHARYIA, Iraq – Deployments often keep families apart during the holidays. For two Soldiers, they were able to unite to spend Christmas together in Iraq.

Col. George Smith and his son Sgt. Michael Smith spent the holiday together when his father surprised him with a visit to Camp Baharyia, Iraq, Dec. 23.

The elder Smith took command of the Defense Contingency Support Team at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, in early November. Shortly after his arrival, he started working with the 1st Brigade Combat Team commander Col. John Charlton and the 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment commander Lt. Col. Clifford Wheeler to arrange the visit with the goal of making it a surprise.

The surprise was total, rendering Sgt. Smith, a medic with 5-7, speechless.

It began for the junior Smith when Wheeler came into the squadron aid station and told him to come outside.

Smith said, "I was thinking, 'I'm in trouble – what did I do?'"

When he walked outside, he saw the physician's assistance, the squadron command sergeant major and commander, and as he said "some colonel."

"I looked at everybody and everyone was looking at me. I looked back at my PA and he asked me, 'Why are you looking at me?'"

Realization came slowly, but when he looked at the colonel again, he realized it was his father.

"I wish we had a camera at that second because he was in total shock for 30, 45 seconds," Col. Smith said.

Along with surprising his son, Col. Smith's wife didn't know what he was planning.

On Christmas Eve, Sgt. Smith called his mother at his parents' home in Fort Belvoir. After talking with her for a bit, he told her, "Oh by the way, there is someone else here who wants to talk with you."

His father said, "She fell out of her seat when I picked up the phone and said hello."
With both Smith's in the military, it sometimes makes it difficult to meet during the holidays.

"We've spent a couple of Christmases together since I joined," said Sgt. Smith. "This is my second Christmas in Iraq." The elder Smith has missed three Christmas since he began his career.

Sgt. Smith said, "It's an adventure sometimes (to get together for the holidays) the way things go between assignments and our jobs."

Both father and son agreed that it was easier this year being together, given how close they were.

"Christmas is a time meant to be spent with family, and this was a unique opportunity to spend time with my son in the desert," Col. Smith said.

Sgt. Smith echoed his father's sentiments, "There is a certain amount of comfort having family here rather than having to 'suck it up.'"

Whether deployed or at home, the holidays are made better with family even if you have to eat Christmas dinner in Iraq.

• Date Taken: 01.03.2008
• Date Posted: 01.03.2008 12:19
• Story ID: 15160
• Location: IQ