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Father Travels Great Lengths to Promote Son

Jun-24-2006 » Filed Under: 172nd SBCT

By Capt. Patrick Shepherd, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

QAYYARAH WEST AIR BASE, Iraq (May 1, 2006) -- When a family is separated from their military children during a time of war, it usually takes months, or possibly years, for a father to see his son again. This holds true even throughout Iraq, where fathers and sons serve in the U.S. Armed Forces fighting the War on Terrorism during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

However, in rare cases, there are circumstances that afford military family members the opportunity to reunite with one another and spend quality time together. This rarity occurred when Marine and father, Master Gunnery Sgt. Roger Werthmann, aviation ordnance chief, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16 (Reinforced), 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, made the trek through parts of Iraq to participate in the promotion of his son, Army Spc. Greg Werthmann, Stryker driver and forward observer, Alpha Company 52nd Infantry, 172nd Stryker Brigade, to a sergeant.

The coordination between the Marine Corps and Army units was successful in getting the father and son reunited for Greg's promotion - the first step to him becoming a leader in the noncommissioned officer ranks. Through the diligent efforts of both commands in Iraq, arrangements were made to allow Roger to fly from Al Asad to Qayyarah West Airbase.

Although the travel time seemed long and complicated, the reward at the end of the trip was well worth it.

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