Courtesy Photo | Disney’s Mickey and Minnie share a moment with 2-year-old Zachary DeBaker during the...... read more read more
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Story by Sgt. Heidi Agostini
SAN DIEGO – Marine wife Krystal Dillihay-DeBaker was all smiles, Nov. 30, when she appeared on NBC San Diego’s evening news for a holiday segment.
DeBaker shared her experience on how she survives the holiday season while her husband is deployed to Afghanistan.
“Well I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the support of my friends and family,” Krystal said. “They’ve really been here for me throughout this entire deployment. And I’ve been really taking advantage of all the resources and activities available for spouses and family on Camp Pendleton.”
Her husband, Cpl. Thomas DeBaker, deployed with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, in May and is scheduled to return late December.
“Through the magic of television we’d actually like to move that up a little bit,” said the news anchor during the live interview.
At that moment, her husband of one year joined the show via satellite from Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan.
Krystal held back tears and her voice trembled as she said hello to her husband. The on-air reunion was short but the couple spoke privately when the segment was over.
“I was overwhelmed with emotion,” said a tearful Krystal. “It was just so good to see him as himself, smiling and happy. That’s what I’m used to when he’s here, and I haven’t been able to see him for six-and-a-half months. It was truly amazing and I’m so grateful that I was able to see him on TV.”
Their son Zachary, a vibrant and cheerful toddler, immediately recognized his dad and grabbed the microphone to speak with him.
The couple met as students at Carthage Collage in Kenosha, Wis. DeBaker was a stellar athlete and a member of the football team. But news of the pregnancy and a performance-altering injury prompted him to leave college and pursue his lifelong goal of serving with the Marines. Their son was born in May 2008, and soon after his birth, DeBaker left for boot camp.
“It was difficult,” Krystal said. “Zach was just born. I was still in school, and I also made the Milwaukee Bucks dance team. I was balancing all three of those things, and I was living on my own, away from Tom.”
Following their TV appearance, Krystal and her son joined the news team for Horton Plaza’s annual tree lighting ceremony.
Two special visitors joined fellow San Diegans at the plaza. Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Walt Disney’s beloved trademark characters, joined in the festivities, kicking off the Christmas season complete with faux snow in the form of soapsuds, Christmas carolers decked in Victorian garb, and the lighted tree.
Zachary could barely contain himself, running rampant, chasing the snow and falling into Mickey and Minnie’s arms repeatedly. These were moments that Krystal will cherish. Thomas will have to wait several more weeks to experience them.
“I have mixed emotions,” said Krystal. “Last year Zach was afraid of Mickey and big characters, and he likes that stuff now. It makes me sad that Tom doesn’t know and he’s not able to experience. Zach is so different now. He’s changed so much since Tom left.”
The deployment is near its end, and Krystal is anxious as ever to spend quality time as a family. The couple plans to return to the Midwest for a traditional Wisconsin Christmas, complete with real snow.
| Date Taken: | 12.03.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 12.03.2010 14:44 |
| Story ID: | 61298 |
| Location: | SAN DIEGO, US |
| Web Views: | 319 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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