Sgt. Andrew A. Miller
Task Force Baghdad PAO
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq -- The man with the Louisiana accent wasn't talking to his son, he was talking about him. Yet his eyes never left his boy.
He gazed at him, as if he were still trying to figure him out, despite their 22 years together.
That Sgt. 1st Class Robert T. Fontenot could actually look at his son, also a Soldier deployed to Iraq, is due to a good bit of luck.
Both Soldiers, from Delcambre, La., are assigned here with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment. The fact that Spc. Cody T. Fontenot is stationed with his dad is something they both appreciate, he said.
Thanks to that luck and appreciation, and in the spirit of Father's Day, the two Bradley Fighting Vehicle mechanics agreed to meet and discuss the rare experience of serving with each other in a combat zone.
Such conversation, with its feelings and relationships, seemed at first to be less than comfortable for the younger Fontenot. But as the ice broke and melted in the Baghdad air, the talk became candid and sincere.
Serving with a family member is somewhat of a mixed blessing, they explained.
"The rank thing can be kind of weird," Cody said. "I can't really argue like I can at home."
"Or try to get out of something," Robert added, smiling.
From the leader's perspective, Robert has to be sure that he considers the welfare of the rest of his Soldiers to be as important as that of his son, he said.
There is also an amount of worry that comes with serving alongside a relative, they said.
"When a mortar or rocket comes in, [Cody] is the first thing on my mind," Robert said. "You look for where it hit. You worry about your son."
Earlier in their deployment, Robert was stationed at Forward Operating Base Justice, and he and his son rarely saw each other, except when the elder Fontenot would convoy here each week.
"I would worry about him," Cody said. "It was a relief to see him every time."
Aside from worry and the occasional awkward conflict of family and professionalism, the men agree that having each other here is a great benefit.
"I've got someone in my unit who I know I can always turn to," said the younger Fontenot.
His father agreed.
"Having someone in your family here is cool," Robert said. "You've got someone you can really talk to."
"I'm glad he's here with me. I just wish he wasn't here," he added with a laugh.
Other than just making for an easier tour, sharing their experience has created a stronger bond between them, they said.
"At home, we didn't really have much in common," Robert said.
Cody was a young man, mostly interested in his friends, he said
Neither of them ever thought Cody would join the Army. They certainly never imagined they"d be stationed together.
As it turned out, they were. Because of that, they have found that they do have certain things in common.
Robert said he's learned his son has his father's temper. He's also learned he's a hard worker and a good mechanic.
But Cody's ability to take care of himself is no surprise to his father.
"I raised him to be independent," Robert said, again looking his son over.
The conversation drifted toward themes of change, appreciation and the future. Cody spoke of his bad attitude as a slightly younger man. He mentioned trouble with the law. He remembered how he used to think he knew everything.
"The best thing my dad ever did for me was to help me straighten my life out," said Cody. "Without him, I probably wouldn't have gotten to go to school or got a good job."
During this tour, and since his son joined the Army about three years ago, Robert has watched his son grow into a man and become successful, he said.
"The best thing my son has done for me was to turn his life around," Robert said.
The two Soldiers had by now created a clear picture of themselves. They looked like two men who have been and continue to be changed during this tour in Iraq. They looked like two men who have been changed by each other.
And they both agreed that they're ready to go home any time now.
Cody said he'll want to help his old man out more, even when Robert claims he doesn't need it. Robert said he'll let his son take his boat out, which sparked a series of smiles and chuckles that couldn't really be explained to a stranger.
And again, Robert could be seen gazing at his son.
The father's look was a peculiar one, and throughout the conversation he occasionally put it away, only to pick it up again. It was a look of pride.
Related Photo:
[url]http://www.dvidshub.net/img_archives/index.php?screen=view&id=8389[/url]
| Date Taken: | 06.13.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 06.13.2005 13:16 |
| Story ID: | 2138 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 37 |
| Downloads: | 7 |
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