Like father like son

Courtesy Photo | Lance Cpl. Nathan O. Nail, a scout team leader with Security Platoon, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, stands next to his father Harry A. Nail, a police advisor with International Police Advisory, during a daily meeting March 29 at Camp Korean Village, Iraq. Nathan, 20, an Oxford, Ala., native, was re-united with his dad Harry, 56, from Prattville, Ala., who will be at Camp Korean Village with him throughout his 7-month tour in the western Anbar province. (Photo/Cpl. Ryan L. Tomlinson)  

CAMP KOREAN VILLAGE, IRAQ

03.28.2008

Courtesy Story

I Marine Expeditionary Force

By Cpl. Ryan L. Tomlinson
Regimental Combat Team 5

CAMP KOREAN VILLAGE, Iraq – Service members from all over the United States deploy to locations around the world leaving their family behind to fight for their country. For one Marine, deploying to Iraq actually meant reuniting with his father.

Representing two generations of warriors, Lance Cpl. Nathan O. Nail, a scout team leader with Security Platoon, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, and his father Harry A. Nail, a police advisor with International Police Advisory, reunited March 28.

"I feel exhilarated knowing that I am stationed with my son," said Harry, 56, from Prattville, Ala. "I knew he was going to come to Iraq, so I wanted to be at the same place he would be."

Nathan had not seen his dad since December 2007. But when Harry's job brought him to Iraq to assist and share his law enforcement knowledge with the Iraqi highway patrol, a chance meeting seemed probable.

Harry requested to work in Korean Village after learning Nathan's deployment would bring him here. Nathan deployed here March 18 with 2nd LAR, knowing that his dad would be here waiting.

"It's comforting to know that I have my dad here with me," said the 20-year-old Oxford, Ala., native. "I know that I will always have a person I can talk to anytime."

Within a week of Nathan's arrival, his dad ran to the flight line every time he heard a helicopter.

"The feeling of being able to see my son again in a war zone was exciting," said Harry. "I was just so happy and overjoyed to see him."

Nathan was raised by an Alabama state trooper and a U.S. Army soldier all in one man: his dad. Even though his parents divorced when he was young, Nathan and his dad kept a bond that nobody could break while Nathan split time with his parents.

The two said they have been through everything together, from working through the hard stresses of the divorce to Nathan dressing up in his dad's uniforms to play. Being in Iraq together is just building on their relationship.

"It's awesome to have both (of us) here because he and I will have an understanding of what Iraq is like and what we do for our country," said Nathan.

Harry and Nathan continue to see each other every day as many times as they can. Every single time he glanced at his son, Harry couldn't stop smiling, knowing the fact he is safe.

"He is one of the main reasons I wanted to come out here and train the Iraqi police," Harry said. "I'm extremely proud of him."

He concluded, "It was one of the proudest moments of my life to see him graduate and become a Marine."

• Date Taken: 03.28.2008
• Date Posted: 03.31.2008 16:17
• Story ID: 17945
• Location: CAMP KOREAN VILLAGE, IQ