Diana Blanton is a mother looking out for her son --- a Marine from Scottsburg, Indiana who is in Iraq for a second tour of duty. Except this time around he was deployed just days after he found out his wife, Beth was expecting their first child.
Her son -- Christopher Garten was heartbroken that he was going to miss his wife's pregnancy -- but more importantly, the birth of his first child. That's when his mother and his mother-in-law began a mission of their own --- finding someone who could help!
Enter the Air Force Brat -- me!
It's in my bio that I am an Air Force brat -- it is part of who I am --- a lifestyle that helped shape me. I cry everytime I see a reunion between a soldier and his or her spouse. I remember running on the tarmac to my father when he returned from VietNam. It's a feeling you never forget -- it's a sight that reminds you how precious life and homecomings really are.
I couldn't deliver a homecoming for Sgt. Garten to be back in Indiana for the birth of his child -- but WHAS could deliver a connection ---- a technological connection that would allow him to see that delivery round the world!
Our station worked with the Shneck Medical Center in Seymour, Indiana to set up a webcam that would focus on his wife --- Sgt. Garten bought a webcam in Baghdad so we could see him.
It wasn't always easy seeing him -- but through flashlights and even Christmas tree lights we managed to see his beautiful smile when his son was born January 12th!
He was able to see a beautiful baby boy who had his dimples --- he saw those first pictures.
He also heard a slight whimper --- the first sounds of his son -- Hayden Christopher.
On that day in that delivery room -- it gave me great pride to be an Air Force brat -- because I know all about families separated during War Time --- and it was with great pride that I saw a family reunited for the miracle of birth.
The birth of a Marine brat so to speak -- I hope it serves him well.