Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Mark Albright | Staff Sgt. Kevin Mcanally, liaison officer for 3rd Squadron, 3rd ACR from San Antonio,...... read more read more
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BABIL, Iraq – Soldiers often sacrifice important family events and ceremonies while deployed in support of Operation New Dawn and Operation Enduring Freedom. Years ago, these soldiers would have settled for photographs sent by their family, but not anymore.
The 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment soldiers had a chance to watch their sons and daughters graduate from high schools in the Killeen area through a video teleconference, set up with the assistance of the Killeen and Copperas Cove school districts and the 3rd ACR communications section.
“I heard about the VTC from friends and leaders who had their daughters or sons graduate while they were deployed. So I looked into participating when it was time for my daughter’s graduation,” said Staff Sgt. Kevin Mcanally, liaison officer for 3rd Squadron, 3rd ACR from San Antonio. “Just having this opportunity is great. It’s the next best thing to actually being there.”
Mcanally’s daughter, Monica, graduated from Harker Heights High School June 3 while he watched, by himself, from a conference room in Iraq.
His daughter has been an “Army brat” her whole life. She knows the ups and downs of having a father serving in the military.
“I don't like that my dad has to be deployed. This is his fourth deployment, and it's been hard not having him here because he missed out on so much of our lives,” said Monica. “Knowing that my dad was able to watch me graduate from Iraq made me so happy. Before I found out that he would be able to watch me graduate, I was so upset. I was really happy that I was able to see him too as I was crossing the stage.”
McAnally has served almost 20 years in the Army and will be retiring soon. This is his fourth, and final, deployment, and he was happy to be able watch the ceremony.
“She was 14 when Iraq first started, and I have been over here every other year since, so I have missed quite a bit,” said Mcanally.
Other soldiers participated in the video teleconference event during the beginning of June. All were able to see their children be part of a ceremony signifying the beginning of their adult lives and opening a world of possibilities for the future.
Monica has plans for hers.
“My plans for the future are to go to Central Texas College for two years, then transfer to a four-year university. I'm not sure what I'm going to major in just yet. I plan to minor in Spanish,” said Monica.
These next steps in his daughter’s future Mcanally will be there to witness.
| Date Taken: | 06.04.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 06.14.2011 01:43 |
| Story ID: | 72040 |
| Location: | BABIL, IQ |
| Web Views: | 270 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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