Marine father and son reunite in Iraq
Submitted by: I Marine Expeditionary Force Story Identification #: 200411671756 Story by Sgt. Clinton Firstbrook
CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (Nov. 05, 2004) -- Sitting in a musty back office, father and son swap stories about their recent experiences and day-to-day activities in Iraq.
Lance Cpl. James Gillham, a communications specialist for 3rd Light Armor Reconnaissance Battalion, is stationed at a smaller base called Camp Manhattan while his father, First Sgt. Coral Gillham, Bravo Company, 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion’s First Sergeant, is stationed right next door at Camp Fallujah.
Even though father and son have different missions here, they demonstrate how small the Marine Corps community is and how sometimes it takes a deployment to bring people together.
“I was outside talking to my company gunny when I saw him walk in,” said First Sgt. Gillham. “I didn’t recognize him at first, because I never expected to see him here. I had to do a double-take.”
“My unit needed to pick up some gear and my radio chief hooked me up so I could come out and see my dad,” said Lance Cpl. Gillham. “Saying he was extremely surprised when he saw me would be an understatement.”
Based stateside at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center 29 Palms, Calif., Lance Cpl. Gillham deployed to Iraq in March, while his father who was stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C., left less than a month later in April.
“Being on two different coasts, it’s hard to get the family all together at once,” said First Sgt. Gillham. “During the past two years we’ve only seen each other a couple of times. I knew he was somewhere around here, so I hoped we’d eventually run into each other.”
Unfortunately their reunion couldn’t last forever and father and son had to part ways once again.
“We were only able to hang out for a couple of hours before I had to head back to base, but I’m going to try and come out on other trips,” said Lance Cpl. Gillham.
While their encounter lasted only a few hours, First Sgt. Gillham said it was the most memorable experience he had during his tour.
“I’ll never forget this experience,” said First Sgt. Gillham. “It’ll be something my son and I talk about for years to come.
And his son feels the same.
“It’s just cool because not too many people can say they hung out with their dad in Iraq,” said Lance Cpl. Gillham.
source: http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/8CD3C637CD37884185256F4400438F5E?opendocument