Joint Base Balad- Sometimes it?s not what you experience but what you can see and hear, and such was the case for a US Soldier from Arizona serving in the gulf this last week. A member of the Arizona National Guard was able to witness the birth of his baby daughter back home in the United States, while stationed in Iraq.
After 16 hours of labor, Specialist Mario Aquirre?s wife, Elizabeth gave birth to their daughter at Scottsdale Shea Hospital back home. Gabriela was born and her father observed the whole thing from the Legacy room operated by the American Red Cross.
The Red Cross sponsors this mission using instant messenger and a Internet based webcam to allow Servicemember serving in Iraq and elsewhere to be able to witness important moments in the birth of their children. ?It is truly invaluable and a super resource,? said Michael Patton.
Mr. Patton is a Veteran and the team leader for the Red Cross Office at Joint Base Balad. ?If our Servicemember or the father gets the chance to witness the birth of their child while serving on deployment, nothing can replace that,? said Patton.
?It was almost like being right there,? said proud new father Specialist Aquirre. ?Even though I am far away it doesn?t feel so far when I can see and talk to them and everything,? said Aquirre.