Courtesy Photo | Straight from his private quarters, 1538th Transportation Company commander Capt....... read more read more
By 1st Lt. Brett J. Monroe
1538th Transportation Company, 165th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 1st Sustainment Brigade
CAMP TAJI, IRAQ – Most families celebrate major milestones together, sharing the joy of a new birth, the accomplishment of a high-school or college graduation, or the pride in a family member joining the military, but often deployed service members are unable to share in these special family moments. Thanks to technology these moments are increasingly able to be shared. Recently one of life's most precious and celebrated events, its beginning, was able to be shared by a new father here on Camp Taji.
Capt. Phillip Anderson, commander of the 1538th Transportation Company, an Indiana Army National Guard unit from Elkhart, Ind., was able to share in the birth of his second child on Sept. 26, 2008, via webcam from his quarters. Anderson, a resident of Plainfield, Ind., was able to join his wife Michelle and his three-year-old son Lucas via webcam to witness the birth of his daughter, Makayla Jolee, at 2:05 p.m. EDT, in Indianapolis.
"One of the most memorable moments of my life," remarked Anderson, referring to his daughter's birth. "Having a daughter is something my wife and I've wanted and planned for, but I wish it didn't happen while I was deployed." Fortunately Anderson was able to share in his family's joy during the event via two-way webcam using software such as Skype. "I'd love to be home with my wife, son and daughter." The 1538th only recently arrived in Iraq and, as such, Anderson was not able to take leave to be present for Makayla's birth.
Virtual Teleconferencing, or VTC as it is commonly referred to, webcams and instant messaging are helping to bring families together despite the distance and time as access to the Internet increases throughout theater. Service members in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait are increasingly able to access Internet service providers on many bases as AAFES vendors enter the market to provide a much-desired service to deployed troops.
Another option available to some service members is the Freedom Calls Center. The Freedom Calls Foundation has worked to deploy the latest satellite technology to bases in Iraq and Kuwait at no cost to deployed personnel. Military Morale Welfare and Recreation along with education centers have free computer networks available to Soldiers, but the MWR phone centers usually require a commercial calling card.
Baby Makayla and mother Michelle are healthy and doing well at home with help from friends, family and a very excited big brother Lucas. Anderson hopes to join his family on leave soon. In the meantime, he continues to check in with his family from time to time via webcam.
| Date Taken: | 10.25.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 10.25.2008 14:42 |
| Story ID: | 25556 |
| Location: | TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 155 |
| Downloads: | 138 |
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