PARWAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan — In the season of giving this year, two soldiers deployed to Afghanistan, a father and son, received a rare gift: the opportunity to spend Christmas together on Bagram Air Field.
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Scott Perrenod, the reintegration deputy chief for Task Force 426th Civil Affairs, and his son U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Bryan Perrenod, a member of a security forces advise and assist team under Task Force 138, were able to spend Christmas together this year despite being deployed to different parts of Afghanistan.
Bryan was able to travel from Kandahar to Bagram in order to spend Christmas with his father.
“Family is important and being together is important,” said Scott. “Having the ability to spend time together as a family during war time is even more special.”
“Wherever I am, whether it’s Afghanistan, or back home, I’m reminded of the importance of being together as a family, and keeping those family bonds,” added Scott.
The Perrenod family is saturated with the military lifestyle. Scott’s youngest son, Erik, is serving with the Army in Germany, and his wife, Alina, serves with the California National Guard. His father fought in World War II and two of his brothers have retired from the Air Force.
“From my perspective, I’m extremely proud to have my sons choose this career path on their own,” said Scott. “It’s an honor to pass the baton to a new generation.”
“I was never 100 percent sure about joining the Army,” said Bryan. “But I’ve chosen this path. It’s a good thing to continue the tradition. Now it’s my turn.”
For the Perrenod family time together has become a precious thing.
“We haven’t been together as a family for the holidays in three years now,” said Scott. “It’s awesome to get together with the family all being in military, but to do it in Afghanistan is pretty indescribable.”