Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Jarod Perkioniemi | Staff Sgt. Mitchell Howell, U.S. Army Central, walks with his son, 1st Lt. Jason...... read more read more
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By Staff Sgt. Jarod Perkioniemi
20th Public Affairs Detachment
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - Being deployed during the holidays can be a difficult time for service members as they adjust to time away from family.
For one father stationed at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, the holidays this year meant a reunion with his son, who is deployed in Iraq.
Staff Sgt. Mitchell Howell, G6, U.S. Army Central, who is serving his first deployment, was able to spend the holidays with his only child, 1st Lt. Jason Howell, 4th Sustainment Brigade, who is also serving on his first deployment.
When Mitchell arrived in Kuwait, he began talking with his command about the possibility of spending time with his son, who was already deployed to Iraq.
"I had heard stories of family members being able to reunite during the holidays, even though they were both deployed," said Mitchell.
So Mitchell quickly went to work figuring out what necessary steps needed to be taken to ensure he spent time with his son. In the end, Mitchell found out that the process wasn't as hard as he'd expected.
"I spoke to my sergeant major, who then coordinated [everything] with his sergeant major," explained Mitchell.
The two reunited early Christmas morning, after the 4th SB command coordinated for Jason to travel to Kuwait for three days to see his father.
"It was easier for him to come down here, than for me to train up and take all the [required] classes to go forward," added Mitchell.
"It was tough," said Jason describing the process. "I did a full shift before travelling; so I've been up for awhile. But I finally made it."
Both Mitchell and Jason were very outspoken in their appreciation of the support they received from both commands for making the reunion possible.
"I really appreciate all the support from both sides of the command," said Mitchell with a smile on his face.
After personally thanking both commands, Jason took a three hour nap before the two went out for the day around Camp Arifjan. Their activites included time shopping at the Post Exchange, relaxing at Starbucks, calling the family back home and watching a DVD to relax before staying awake till 1 a.m. talking.
For dinner, they ate their Christmas meal at the Oriental resturant.
"It reminded us of the "Christmas Story" movie, only without the singing," joked Mitchell.
The next day, they said goodbye as Jason departed to rejoin his unit.
Spending time at the holidays away from family is not something new to the Howell family. Mitchell has already spent holidays alone while stationed in Germany. The Howell family also has a number of other family members that have served in the Army, to include, Mitchells' father, brother and nephew.
Mitchell attributes the family tradition of serving as one of the main reasons Jason decided to join the Army.
Jason took a different route in his Army career, deciding that he wanted to attend Reserve Officer Training Course and become a commissioned officer.
"He graduated Marion Military Institute in Alabama," explained Mitchell. "I was fortunate enough to be there and be the first one he saluted."
Mitchell, who has been in country for two months, knows that it could be a long time before he sees Jason again, but also knows that moments like this are things that will stick with him forever.
"Having only one child, a son, especially with him being over here, it makes you appreciate everything more," explained Mitchell.
| Date Taken: | 12.31.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 12.31.2008 03:05 |
| Story ID: | 28303 |
| Location: | CAMP ARIFJAN, KW |
| Web Views: | 264 |
| Downloads: | 215 |
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