Striker Soldiers visit with Family for Thanksgiving

Photo By Master Sgt. Jerry Saslav | Capt. Carlos Martinez, a native of Caguas, Puerto Rico, who serves as the supply officer for the 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad, talks to his girlfriend Stacy Remocras by video-teleconference from the 3rd BCT's conference room at Forward Operating Base War Eagle in Baghdad's Adhamiyah District, Nov. 28. The Soldiers were able to chat with their families back at Fort Carson, Colo., for the Thanksgiving holiday.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

11.29.2008

Story by Sgt. Jerry Saslav 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

By Sgt. Jerry Saslav
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

FORWARD OPERATING BASE WAR EAGLE, Iraq – It was 2:45 the morning after Thanksgiving, and Capt. Carlos Martinez, a native of Caguas, Puerto Rico, was waiting outside the 3rd Brigade Combat Team's conference room for his girlfriend, Stacy Remocras. She was late, and he was tired.

The couple hadn't seen each other in months. He is in Baghdad, and she lives in Las Vegas but was visiting family in Colorado.

Now they were going to see each other by video-teleconference, but she was late in arriving at Fort Carson, Colo., where her end of the satellite hookup was located.

Usually there is a line of Soldiers waiting to see family and friends, so time is limited. But on this day, for a variety of reasons, only one other Soldier was waiting and his family hadn't arrived yet, so Martinez had time.

When Remocras did arrive Martinez entered the conference room and sat down at the conference table where a microphone and a small video monitor were sitting. The two were able to sit and talk for a while.

"It's exactly what I was expecting. It's nice that she was able to see me on a huge screen," said Martinez, who serves as the supply officer for the 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.

This was Martinez's first VTC.

"Today was a really good experience," said Martinez. "It's nice that your significant others can actually see you, and it gives them more hope that we're doing good over here."

This VTC was not Capt. Brandon Wade's first. Wade, who serves as the deputy civil affairs officer with 3rd BCT, was the next in line and was waiting for his Family to arrive.

"It's a great opportunity for Soldiers to reunite with family and friends, but it was a chance to see his wife, April, and his two sons, Collin, 9 years old, and Dilion, who is 11 months old. For Wade, it was a chance to see his son before his first birthday.

"I've missed his birth and his birthday all in one shot with this deployment," said Wade, a native of Chillicothe, Ill.

Wade has seen his son Dilion for a total of 18 days since he was born.

"A VTC to me is a connection between here and home. The long distance is not a factor anymore; it's like you're in the same room. My son, my oldest son, he's already asked for it again. He's gone to every one. He'll bring stories and drawings – he's showing a part of himself that I've missed all this time."

With no other Soldiers scheduled for a VTC, Wade was able to spend plenty of time with his family.

"It's incredible, especially for our kids to be able to see him, not just hear his voice. It's hard to put it into words," said April Wade.

• Date Taken: 11.29.2008
• Date Posted: 11.29.2008 16:14
• Story ID: 26949
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ