Courtesy Photo | 1st Sgt. Matt Splechter was reunited with his son, Airman 1st Class Josh Splechter in...... read more read more
TAL AFAR, Iraq (Army News Service, Dec. 29, 2005) " As a career infantryman, 1st Sgt. Matt Splechter has missed four Christmases away from family due to deployment overseas serving his nation.
He figured his current deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom would be no different, but on Christmas Day in a land far away from home, Splechter was proven wrong.
The 21-year Army veteran assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, was reunited with his son, Airman 1st Class Josh Splechter in Tal Afar, Iraq.
Josh, who volunteered to come to Iraq, serves as an air transportation specialist supporting the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment at Forward Operating Base Sykes.
As soon as father saw his son, he gave him a big "infantryman" hug.
No strangers to service
Although deployments have been a way of life for the Splechter family, this was this first time that both father and son had been deployed at the same time.
"My wife [Christy] doesn't worry a great deal because she's used to me being gone," said Matt. "But I know this [reunion] is some comfort to her to know that we're not alone for the holidays. She thinks it's great both of us are serving our country."
At the same time she has to double the amount of care packages she sends from Alaska, with both a husband and a son in uniform and deployed. The first sergeant added that the Army has always been his family, but it is special to spend the holiday with 'real blood family."
The younger Splechter, assigned to the 732nd Expeditionary Mission Support Group out of McChord Air Force Base, Wash., thinks the reunion is "cool."
"It's a good feeling to see him all the way out here," said Josh, who has been in the Air Force for 18 months.
Matt, who hails from Coffeyville, Kan., arrived to Iraq in August, where his unit was assigned to Mosul.
He admitted he was excited upon hearing his son would be stationed at Tal Afar, a city only 70 kilometers from his camp.
Internet keeps family in touch
The two were able to communicate to each other by e-mail prior to Josh arriving in country.
"My only concern for him was what the security situation would be like at the FOB he"d be living on," said Matt. "But he assured me that everything was good to go."
Despite their close proximity, both father and son rely heavily on each other's
e-mails to keep their morale up.
"It's been a bonus having him out here," said Matt. "I'll be checking my work
e-mails and then I'll see his name in my inbox. It's good to see him tell me about his experiences out here. I'm proud of him."
The reunion wouldn't have been possible without the support of both service members chain of command. Splechtet's command sergeant major and commander were 100 percent supportive of him spending Christmas with Josh, and told him, "Go see your son."
Although Iraq was the unlikeliest of places Matt and Josh imagined spending Christmas together, both are rejoicing in the experience.
"This is very unique and rewarding," Matt said. "This is a good Christmas present."
| Date Taken: | 01.03.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 01.03.2006 14:25 |
| Story ID: | 4264 |
| Location: | TAL AFAR, IQ |
| Web Views: | 345 |
| Downloads: | 115 |
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