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Father's Day brings deployment end for Fairchild family

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sam Fogleman
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  For the Messer family, residents of Fairchild, this Father's Day will be a very special one, especially since it will be their first as a family with a child.

Capt. Brett Messer, 92nd Logistics Readiness Squadron, has been deployed overseas for five months, away from his wife Catherine and now 10-month-old daughter, Juliette.

"It's been hard since he left when the baby was five months, so he's missed technically half her life," said Catherine of her husband's deployment. "All of the little things have happened while he's been gone. Juliette has more of her own personality now."

Catherine talked about how communication with deployed parents has improved during her life.

"My dad was in the Army for 28 years, so I have definitely seen how things have changed for the better," Messer said. "Before, we'd wait for a phone call. Now, we have a lot more opportunities to see each other's faces, especially since the invasion (of Iraq) in 2003."

Messer said innovative communication programs like FaceTime have changed the lives of families of those deployed. Other base resources have been invaluable, she said.

"The best resources have been neighbors and the unit," said Messer. "They have been a huge help. The squadron commander's spouse would check in, and the chaplain has been really helpful. The spouses in the OSC have been so supportive and helpful while Brett was gone. I strongly encourage all spouses to join either the Officer Spouses Club or the Enlisted Spouses Club."

As far as the Messer family's immediate plans for Brett when he comes home, they're simple: "We're looking to spoil him rotten," Catherine said.

Father's Day is a day to celebrate fathers and their contributions to the American family. The tradition in the United States actually began formally at the Spokane YMCA, adding a geographical connection to the particularly resonant role fathers play at Fairchild.