Father, son reunite in Kuwait

Photo By Staff Sgt. James Martin | Master Sgt. Johnny Edwards Sr. (left) and his son, Staff Sgt. Benjamin Horn Sr. spent a day together at Camp Buehring before Horn moved north into Iraq for his deployment with the 1st Cavalry Division.  

02.07.2007

Story by Staff Sgt. James Martin 

377th Theater Sustainment Command

By Staff Sgt. James E. Martin
377th Theater Support Command PAO

KUWAIT — Being deployed can be tough on both a Soldier and his family. Sometimes there is more than one member of the family serving overseas – and in one family's case, this meant a father and son could be reunited.

Master Sgt. Johnny Edwards Sr., an alcohol and drug control officer with the 377th Theater Support Command, and his son, Staff Sgt. Benjamin Horn Sr., recently spent a day together at Camp Buehring before Horn moved north into Iraq for his deployment with the 1st Cavalry Division.

"Who would think both of us would be here at the same time?" Horn said.

Currently, Horn serves on active duty, while Edwards is in the Army Reserve, supporting Third Army/U.S. Army Central while stationed in Kuwait.

Although both father and son are deployed to the Middle East, they still call Meridian, Miss., home.

"This is the first time we got a chance to be in the same place, same country, since we have both been in the military, and I think it is a blessing," Edwards said.

Even with the rank difference, the two say they keep out of each other's military affairs.

"I don't get into his career unless he comes to me for advice and asks me what I can and can't do," Edwards said. "All I can do is try and give him some advice and see whether he will take it."

Horn and Edwards often discuss their future, and what they will do when they return to the U.S. For Horn, he is considering returning to college. But the military runs in his blood, and it's a passion he is constantly reminded of through his father.

"I like training Soldiers," Horn said. "I think if [my father] wasn't in the military, I wouldn't be here today."

The current deployment wasn't the first for the family. Edwards is a Desert Storm veteran.

"When I left for Desert Storm, he was 15 years old," said Edwards. "It bothered him, but he never talked about it," said Edwards. "There a lot of things I know he hasn't told me – and as I have told him, if it is important enough for him to tell me, I will be here."

Although the reunion in Kuwait was brief, the father and son were able to catch up on many things.

"We talked about the family," Edwards said.

"Women, family, my kids and my brothers and sister," Horn said.

One other event was then added to the list.

"Football!" Edwards said. "We like to talk about sports."

• Date Taken: 02.07.2007
• Date Posted: 02.07.2007 11:18
• Story ID: 9080