Father and son reunited, serving combat tours

Photo By Staff Sgt. Matthew Troyer | Petty Officer 1st Class Greg Hoodenpyle, a construction electrician, with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 26, embraces his son, 1st Lt. Alex Hoodenpyle, the executive officer of Combat Engineer Company, Combat Assault Battalion attached to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, in support of Regimental Combat Team 2, after a promotion ceremony held aboard Forward Operating Base Delaram II, Afghanistan, Dec. 12. This ceremony marked the first time the two had seen one another in almost a year. When the their commands learned of the possibility to reunite this father and son team in country, both branches of service were more than willing to help bring them together. “Our commands were very supportive of this, and when they found out it was almost an encouragement,” said Greg “We really appreciate them and there efforts for making this happen.”  

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELARAM II, AFGHANISTAN

12.19.2010

Story by Lance Cpl. Glen Santy 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELARAM II, Afghanistan - After nearly a year apart, Petty Officer 1st Class Greg Hoodenpyle, 54, and his son 1st Lt. Alex Hoodenpyle, 25, were reunited here, Dec. 10 through 17, 2010.

“For dad to be here when I got promoted was awesome,” said Alex Hoodenpyle. “It’s very unique and rarely ever happens, so it’s been great to have him here and to be able to hang out for about a week.”

When Alex was first commissioned, his father was there to pin on his bars and give him his first salute. In country, Greg was able to pin his son again when he was promoted, Dec. 12.

Though the reunion was unique, separation from their family is nothing new for a family whose service began long ago.

Thomas Hoodenpyle, Greg’s father, a corporal in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, served as a communications specialist in the signal corps.

Greg joined the Navy in 1974, he then rejoined in 1999 in the reserves.

“When I joined, it was because of my patriotism, and because I wanted to travel, which is what I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid,” said Greg, a Construction Electrician, with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 26. “When I joined the reserves it was more of a retirement matter, but after September 11th, it was patriotism again.”

After Sept. 11, Greg spent 18 months working with Naval Special Warfare Command in San Diego, with the Navy SEALs. He completed two exercises in Korea, and then went to Kandahar, where he spent six more months with the SEALs. Later he was sent to Indianapolis to a public works detachment, and then transferred to the mobile construction battalion where he’s been serving for the past three years.

Alex joined the military with more traditional values in mind. Going to a high school in Paris Island, S.C., he had a teacher who was a retired Marine lieutenant colonel. His inspiration had a profound affect on Alex.

“A lot of the reason I joined the military was because of dad, growing up I always wanted to be a military engineer,” said Alex, executive officer of Combat Engineer Company, Combat Assault Battalion attached to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, in support of Regimental Combat Team 2. “Early on I wanted to be a Seabee because of dad, but it was dumb luck that I was swayed into the Marine combat engineers.”

“Everything he does I’m supportive of and I think he has the right attitude and the patriotism for it,” said Greg. “I’m very proud of him, and I think he understands the seriousness of his job.”

When the their commands learned of the possibility of reuniting this father and son team in country, both branches of service were more than willing to help them get together.

“Our commands were very supportive of this, and when they found out it was almost an encouragement,” said Greg. “We really appreciate them and there efforts for making this happen.”

The end of the week came swift and sudden for the father and son. Although the two had to part ways, the time they spent together here will never be forgotten.

• Date Taken: 12.19.2010
• Date Posted: 12.19.2010 06:26
• Story ID: 62256
• Location: FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELARAM II, AF