The gymnasium at Fort Drum in Watertown was filled with red, white and blue balloons, hand-painted signs, and families anxiously awaiting their soldier’s return.
Amber Orr paced back and forth in the gym pushing her 14-month-old son, Camden, in a stroller.
Finally, the soldiers marched in and lined up in long, straight lines in the center of the gym.
Amber cheered and waved as her tear-filled eyes scanned the group for her husband and Camden’s father, U.S. Army Captain Ethan Orr.
She had been without him for many holidays and occasions, including Camden’s first birthday during the six months her husband was deployed out of Fort Drum to 1st Brigade Headquarters Battalion in Afghanistan.
“I worry about Camden not recognizing him, or being afraid of him, and how that would make Ethan feel which breaks my heart,” said Amber. “With Skyping, and hearing his voice on the phone, or having pictures around the house, I’m hoping that will make the transition smoother for them.”
Amber said it has been her mission to keep her husband involved with the family during the deployment.
“We have a video camera and I have taped every single silly little thing of our lives from the day he left on that bus,” said Amber. “We call it ‘Life on Burton Road’ and whether it was gross diaper changes, sledding, eating, trying new foods, or saying new words, I got it all on tape and I would send it about every week.”
Amber received support during the deployment from her mother, Janet Tombarello who stayed with her during part of the deployment.
“I believe the hardest part of the deployment was physically disconnecting the family, which led to loneliness,” said Tombarello. “Ethan missed a great deal of Camden’s growing from a baby to a small boy which was difficult for all.”
According to Amber, the hardest part was Ethan missing the simple moments.
“What I miss the most was just having him here for everyday, stupid, silly things,” said Amber. “Just making dinner together, sitting down together, seeing him in the playroom reading to Camden, the everyday little things.”
During the six-month deployment, there were only five days the couple was not in communication.
“We are so lucky that we have been able to have amazing communication since he’s been gone,” said Amber. “We text all day, he can call, we can call him, we Skype with him, and we email every day.”
According to a recent New York Times article, the Pentagon, which for years resisted allowing unfettered Internet access on government computers because of cyber-security concerns, has now embraced the revolution, saying instant communication is a huge morale boost for troops and their families.
"Having a webcam really brings morale of my soldiers up,” said U.S Army Sgt. Joseph Wilson, who doesn’t work with Ethan, but can relate to his situation. “To know that no matter where you are, you can still be connected to those cherished memories with your loved ones. I saw the birth of my niece happening over 7,000 miles away and I felt like I was right there in the room."
Amber said she has had a similar experience.
“Sometimes I feel like he is a half an hour away on post, instead of thousands of miles away in Afghanistan,” she said.
Amber said having the ability to use the webcam has really helped Camden know his father.
“Camden doesn’t see the emails, he doesn’t see the texts, so being able to see his father’s face on that computer screen and hear his voice keeps him fresh in his mind,” she said.
As the Army band played for the soldiers and their families waiting in the gym, Amber bounced Camden on her hip as she told him, “You’re going to see dada!”
The packed space became silent for only a moment before the U.S. Army General yelled “DISMISSED!” The soldiers ran to the sidelines to reunite with their families.
Through the vision of soldiers scattering, Amber and Ethan’s eyes met and they ran through the crowd to each other. Suddenly, Amber and Camden were embraced in their hero’s arms again. Ethan kissed his wife, and then reached for his son.
The little boy was apprehensive to go to his father. Within moments though their eyes locked and it was clear Camden recognized the face he had seen so many times on the computer. Ethan lifted Camden over his head and held him in the air with pride.
Amber’s tireless efforts had paid off.
It was vital to her to ensure that Ethan not leave his son as a tiny baby and come back to a toddler. She wanted him to be able to watch Camden grow so that neither would be shocked with each other when they were reunited.
“Initially there was a pause, and at first my heart started beating that he didn’t recognize me,” said Ethan. “And then I started seeing him crack a smile, and then after a couple seconds he let me hold him, and then I started realizing that he did get who I was. Without Skype, we couldn’t have done that. Talking through webcam…that was my saving grace for having some kind of relationship with my son.”
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