Photo By John Banfield | U.S. Navy Steelworker 1st Class Jeffrey Graham and his daughter Mary pose for a...... read more read more
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Many military personnel deploy every year, but very few of them have an opportunity to see a family member while on deployment. U.S. Navy Steelworker 1st Class Jeffrey Graham however reunited with his daughter, Mary Graham, for the second time in three years in Afghanistan.
Jeff was deployed to Afghanistan with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 18 in 2010, and Mary deployed with the Army. “I felt like my military career would not be complete if I didn’t deploy,” Mary said.
“This is her second time here, and we were here together last time too,” said Jeff. “It always makes a parent nervous when your children are in harms way, but I am proud of her.”
Jeff 48, is currently deployed with NMCB 28, Mary 22, is now working as a contractor.
Jeff described Mary as self-motivated and outgoing. “She listens to advice but is not afraid to make her own choices in life.”
“The last time we were here I was in Kandahar and she was in Kabul, my command let me fly to Kabul for Christmas to see her,” Jeff said. He also mentioned that American Forces Network (AFN) made a video of them together in Kabul and posted it on YouTube.
“Mary left the states in April and I left in June,” said Jeff . “So the last time we saw each other back home (San Diego) was April.”
“I also have two boys, Mark 17 and Erick 14,” Jeff said. Jeff’s wife and two boys are back in the states and will not see their deployed family members until next year when they are both scheduled to return.
“My two boys think it’s kind of neat (that we are in here in Afghanistan together),” Jeff said. “Of course my wife doesn’t like it too much though.”
The two are trying to make the most of their time in Afghanistan together. “We have been going to the boardwalk, and watching movies at the USO. We have also been eating dinner together everyday,” said Jeff.
| Date Taken: | 10.04.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 10.09.2013 08:29 |
| Story ID: | 114941 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 778 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
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