Photo By Staff Sgt. Mark Scovell | U.S. Army Soldier Spc. Aaron Ashcraft, 36th Infantry Division, Task Force Spartan,...... read more read more
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CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait (April 16, 2021) - A National Guardsman’s first, active-duty deployment is filled with so many new experiences such as the first time leaving the United States, to meeting new people and learning a new job.
One Texas Guardsman recently added another new experience to the list of his deployment adventures.
A few weeks ago, Spc. Aaron Ashcraft, a team member in the personnel section for 36th Infantry Division, currently serving as part of Task Force Spartan at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, watched on his phone as another first unfolded — his wife giving birth to their first child.
Leah Renea Ashcraft was born at 10:35 p.m., April 6, 2021, at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas.
“Both my wife and I were born at JPS hospital,” said Ashcraft. “It was also kind of neat to be watching Leah being born on April 7 here but in Texas it was still April 6, so in a way she has two birthdays.”
Currently, due to COVID-19 restrictions the hospital did not allow anyone in the labor and delivery area except the mother-to-be. Ashcraft was able to watch the birth thanks to a nurse at the hospital that streamed it from his wife’s, Mia, phone.
“It was really great being able to watch the whole delivery on my phone,” explained Ashcraft. “The staff at JPS were all really helpful and friendly.”
“Knowing he was watching was really great and made it a lot easier to go through, especially considering COVID,” Mia added.
When Ashcraft deployed to Kuwait this past October Mia was about three-months into her pregnancy.
“I was thankful for the deployment opportunity because COVID-19 had really hurt my job situation,” said Ashcraft, “We needed to save up some money with a child on the way.”
Ashcraft said that his section has been really supportive throughout the whole pregnancy.
“My command bought like more than half of the things from our baby registry, which was a huge weight off my shoulders.”
Ashcraft’s section showed their support for his newborn military child and the challenges that come along with it, highlighting the fact that his family back home is important to his military family.
“Supporting your troops during any significant event is crucial,” said Staff Sgt. Anthony Favela, the plans and opertions non-commissioned officer in charge for G-1, Task Force Spartan. “It shows the Soldiers we care and will keep with the Soldier for the rest of their life. During any significant event in one's life it is upon us, leaders or family, to be there for one another. Especially when we are lacking the normal support system. We have to be their support system, we have to be their family, but most important we just need to be there and show someone out here cares.”
April is designated as the Month of the Military Child, underscoring the important role military children play in the armed forces community. Sponsored by the Department of Defense Military Community and Family Policy, the Month of the Military Child is a time to applaud military families and their children for the daily sacrifices they make and the challenges they overcome.
| Date Taken: | 04.26.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 04.30.2021 10:00 |
| Story ID: | 394694 |
| Location: | KW |
| Web Views: | 202 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Soldier Welcomes Child During Month of the Military Child, by SSG Mark Scovell, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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