Soldiers in Iraq get front row seat at Germany's high school graduations

Photo By Sgt. Maj. Chris Seaton | Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Irvin, 2nd Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment (Attack), Task Force XII, watches the Ansbach High School graduation from 2nd Bn., 159th Avn. Regt.'s conference room in LSA Anaconda, Iraq, June 6. Irvin's Daughter, Trista, was one of the 38 graduates. (U.S. Army photo/ Sgt. Dale Sweetnam)  

TAJI, IRAQ

06.08.2008

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Chris Seaton 

Multi-National Division Baghdad

By Sgt. 1st Class Chris Seaton
Task Force XII Public Affairs Office

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Micaela Cardoza beamed as she stood in her blue cap and gown at the Ansbach, Germany, high school graduation. She couldn't help but smile as a teacher read Micaela's message to her family and friends.

"I want to thank my mom, Miriam, and my dad, Elias, for always supporting me and being there through good and rough times," the teacher read. "I will always be thankful for all your hard work and support."

A few thousand miles away in a conference room in Iraq, Sgt. Elias Lantigua, Micaela's dad, choked back tears

"I got a little emotional ... more than I thought I would," said Lantigua, who hails from Boston and serves with Headquarters and Headquarter Company, Task Fore XII. "Once she said my name, I couldn't help it."

Lantigua was one of a few Soldiers in the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade to watch their children take the stage – courtesy of the Department of Defense Dependents Schools, U.S. Army Europe and the 5th Signal Command in Germany.

Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Irvin, a production control specialist in 2nd Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment, watched from another darkened conference room at Logistical Support Area Anaconda as his own daughter, Trista, crossed the stage.

"I'm glad I could see it," he said. "Of course I want to be there, but it's nice to see it. I talked to her this afternoon as they were getting ready to go. I'm very proud of her."

Although watching from afar on a monitor may not be the same thing as being there in person, the Soldiers said they were happy to beat witness to such major achievements in their children's lives.

"I think it's very positive," said Lt. Col. Richard Crogan, the deputy commander for Task Force 49 and 12th CAB Soldiers stationed at LSA Anaconda. "It's a great morale boost being able to see your child go across the stage. It's the next best thing to being there."

This is the fifth year that parents of students in Germany have been able to watch the ceremonies from Iraq. The recorded ceremonies are also available online for parents to watch later if work schedules kept them from seeing it live.

Lantigua, who said he was skeptical about how he would feel watching from so far away, spent most of the ceremony waiting for glimpses of his daughter. He excitedly pointed her out to friends assembled in the room when she appeared on screen.

"I was able to participate in something that, just a few years ago, I didn't think was possible," he said. "For that short time, I actually felt like I was there, and that I went through this with them."

After the 12th CAB wraps up its 15-month deployment in September, Lantigua and his family will travel to Boston where Micaela plans to speak to a recruiter about joining the Air Force.

"I'll be with her for that," he said. "It's important to both of us ... she wants me to be there, and I want to be there for her."

And for one important hour on a Friday night in June, he says he was there for her.

"After seeing the picture and the big screen, the feed was so good, I felt like I was actually in the audience," he said. "I probably had a better seat than most of the people there."

• Date Taken: 06.08.2008
• Date Posted: 06.08.2008 09:37
• Story ID: 20211
• Location: TAJI, IQ