Marine Son Reunites With Army Dad In Afghanistan
(December 1, 2010) |
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CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan-Cpl. Brandon Edgerton (left), supply warehouse clerk, Medical Logistics Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 15 (Forward), 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), stands next to his father, Army 1st Sgt. Evan Unstead,
first sergeant of Distribution Company, Brigade
Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th
Mountain Division, after being awarded the Good
Conduct Medal here, Nov. 23, 2010. It was a
reunion for the father-son duo who hadn't seen
each other since December 2009.
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CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan (MCN) — A heart-warming
reunion took place here as a father assisted in presenting
his son with his first Good Conduct Medal, Nov. 23.
While most deployed troops have to wait to visit loved ones
back in the U.S., one father and son had the rare
opportunity to reunite while serving in Afghanistan.
Marine Cpl. Brandon Edgerton, supply warehouse clerk,
Medical Logistics Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 15
(Forward), 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward) and father
Army 1st Sgt. Evan Unstead, first sergeant of Distribution
Company, Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team,
10th Mountain Division, hadn't seen each other in almost a
year when they reunited for the ceremony.
When Edgerton found out he was to receive the Good Conduct
Medal, his chain of command delayed his award ceremony so
that it could be presented while Edgerton's father was
present.
"I missed his graduation from boot camp and anything else
that has happened during his career," said |
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Unstead, 43, from Rocky Mount, N.C. "And being
in the same country at the same time, I was not
going to miss him receiving his Good Conduct
Medal." |
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Since June 2007, when Edgerton stepped on the yellow
footprints, it has not been easy for the duo to play an
active role in each other's lives. Unstead is based at Fort
Drum, N.Y., and Edgerton was assigned to Camp Pendleton,
Calif., after serving two years with Combat Assault
Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan.
"The last time we saw each other was last year during
Christmas," said Edgerton, from San Antonio. "It's basically
when he is home and I can take leave, is when we get to see
each other."
"It's the first time we both are in the same place on active
duty in uniform," he added.
With active military careers, the father-son duo do not
allow the distance to affect their relationship.
"We talk on a regular basis," said Edgerton. "We talk about
the military and our lives."
Not only does Edgerton seek personal guidance from Unstead
as a father, but also seeks military guidance from him as a
senior enlisted service leader.
"He's been there, he has done all that," said Edgerton.
"Whenever I had a question, he would always have an answer,
and it has helped me along the way."
"It keeps him on the straight and narrow," Unstead said. "So
far I have heard nothing more than good things about him. It
makes me proud."
Not only was it a proud moment for Unstead to see his son
presented with the medal, but it was an honorable moment
when Edgerton chose to serve his country three and a half
years ago.
"He could have chosen anything to do with his life," Unstead
said. "But he chose to be that one percent that gives back
and defend his country."
Edgerton knew he wanted to serve his country, and when it
came down to making the decision to join the Marine Corps,
his father was there to help him.
"It came down to me wanting to make my own path," said
Edgerton, who is the first Marine in his family.
Having a father in the military opened Edgerton's eyes.
"Having my father in the military, I got to see a lot," he
said. "I joined the military to see the world, to do
something better with my life."
Edgerton remembers when his father would come back from a
tour and would take him and his mother to various places.
"I thought it was important to tell and show him that there
are other things outside his imminent surroundings," said
Unstead, "to appreciate what you have."
Not only has Edgerton traveled across the world to serve his
country, but he has committed another four years to the
Corps. He re-enlisted a week before he deployed in
September.
Being presented the medal was not only a milestone for
Edgerton, but it was a memorable moment with his father
there, he said.
This reunion maybe the last time the father-son duo will see
each other before they are once again reunited in the
States. They will both head home in early spring. |
Article and photo By USMC Cpl. Shannon McMillan
1st Marine Logistics Group (FWD)
Copyright 2010 | |
Reprinted from
Marine Corps News
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