Photo By Lance Cpl. Gregory Aalto | Sgt. Maj. Mark Byrd Sr., Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron, Marine Aircraft...... read more read more
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KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Kandahar province, Afghanistan — Deployed service members are able to communicate better than ever with their loved ones, through internet, phone centers and satellite phones, but for one Marine all it took was a quick flight.
Sgt. Maj. Mark Byrd Sr., sergeant major of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, Marine Aircraft Group 40, Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan, was reunited with his son, Senior Airman Mark Byrd Jr., an airframes mechanic, 451st Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight, 451st Air Expeditionary Wing, here Oct. 18.
The unique visit allowed the two, who are commonly confused as brothers, to talk football and reflect on their time in the military.
"I see him more here than I do at home," joked Mark Sr., who is currently stationed at Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province.
The military upbringing Mark Jr. experienced provided him experiences his father never had.
"For my first 18, 19 years all I knew was Pontiac, Mich.," said Mark Sr., referring to the less diverse area. "My kids grew up with all people and all cultures. [The military lifestyle] developed me and it developed my family."
Hard work was a staple in the Byrd household, and Mark Sr. ensured his home always had a garage gym for his children and the neighborhood kids.
"If you come you are going to work. I don't play in the gym," said Mark Sr., who not only competed in high school wrestling and football, but coached as well.
Reflecting on the past, both father and son agreed on the best duty station of Mark Sr.'s career.
"My most rewarding time in the Marine Corps was on the drill field. Seeing the transformation of recruits is very rewarding," said Mark Sr.
Mark Sr. set an example for his son, in between training recruits all hours of the day, Mark Sr. was an assistant coach on Mark Jr.'s high school football and wrestling teams.
"I take everything from my dad. One thing I knew in particular growing up, is that my father was never a hypocrite," said Mark Jr., 25.
Now, Mark Jr. is developing his own career as an airframe mechanic on unmanned aerial vehicles, fighter jets, transport aircraft and helicopters.
Looking toward the future, Mark Sr. doesn't see his family's service to its country dwindling.
"I see myself as the beginning of something big," said Mark Sr. "We've had other older relatives in the Army and Marine Corps, but I think what we've got going in our family is the epitome of being an American," said Mark Sr.
Although Mark Jr. didn't choose the same branch of service as his father, Mark Sr. has high hopes that his son, Quamaine, a college student in Pennsylvania will become one of the few and the proud.
"If Quamaine joined, it would be the Marine Corps," said Mark Sr.
Although Mark Sr. has great pride in being a Marine, no hostility is shown toward Mark Jr. for joining another service.
"It is an honorable thing is to serve the country, regardless of branch of service," said Mark Sr.
Mark Jr. initially wanted to join the Marine Corps, but after Mark Sr. advised him to visit all the recruiters, Mark Jr. settled on the Air Force.
The bonus and accelerated promotion enticed Mark Jr., who said the Air Force is a "totally different lifestyle," than the Marine Corps.
After living the military life growing up, Mark Jr. has now seen his own fair share of places while serving in the Air Force.
Besides Afghanistan, Mark Jr. has been to Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, Nevada and Korea in his seven years of service.
| Date Taken: | 10.18.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 11.03.2009 11:23 |
| Story ID: | 41012 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR, AF |
| Web Views: | 520 |
| Downloads: | 427 |
This work, Afghanistan deployment gives Vipers' top enlisted opportunity to reunite with son, by LCpl Gregory Aalto, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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