The Story Behind This Viral Photo Of A Soldier Watching His Daughter Being Born Via FaceTime
Being a solider often requires sacrifice, and sometimes missing out on the moments back home that matter the most. Such was the case for one anonymous solider, who was spotted watching the birth of his daughter via FaceTime in an airport.
The beautiful moment was photographed by Tracy Dover, who was waiting on the same delayed flight. She explained the scene in her Facebook post, writing:
“This Army soldier was on my delayed flight home yesterday to MS. He had to watch the birth of his daughter on FaceTime. He was crying and our hearts were breaking. We all gave him space. When we heard the baby cry, we all rejoiced for him. I wanted to share this because I never want us to forget about our soldiers who serve us everyday and the sacrifices they make.”
After posting the photograph, the picture went viral and was shared by KTVU news station in San Francisco. Although the solider remains anonymous, KTVU anchor Frank Somerville was able to confirm that the solider had made it home, and welcomed his new daughter named Millie Fritz Anne Lindsey.
The Facebook posts have quickly filled with well wishes from people all over the world, and many have shared their thanks for the soldier’s sacrifice. Shery Sullivan commented: “My heart breaks knowing you had to be away from your family because you were serving our country. Thank you sir for your service my prayers are with you and your family.”
While commenter Kathryn Nobles lightheartedly shared: “She will wrap you around her little finger soon enough though. Really happy you did get to watch it, and you will be there to teach her so much, and she will know the sacrifice you made for her and all of us. God Bless You! Congratulations!”
More than 200 other people also commented to thank the soldier for his service and congratulate the family on their new arrival. Others, like Lila Smith Arquitt, said they could relate to the hardship that comes hand-in-hand with being a military family. Arquitt wrote: “Military life is not easy, I can say this because I was a military wife for 20 years!”
The soldier’s wife, Haley, also commented on the post to express her gratitude to Dover for the photo and social media for their support:
“Thank y’all so much for the tremendous amount of love and support for our little family!! We cannot believe how far and wide this story has traveled! I really hope it gives other military families hope for getting their loved ones home in an emergency or other life change! It may have not went exactly how we planned, but it is absolutely perfect the way it is! Thank you Tracy Dover for sharing this moment with us and everyone!!”
The social media sensation serves as an important reminder of how hard our men and women in uniform work, and whether they’re forced to take ten flights home for the birth of a child or to experience that life-changing moment via FaceTime, many are grateful for their hard work.
Congratulations to the new family!
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