Soldier in Iraq spends time with family at Fort Hood Posted On: Tuesday, Oct. 27 2009 03:13 PM By Todd Martin
Special to the Hood Herald

In a powerful moment of tender connection, a young soldier in Taji, Iraq gazed into the glassy eyes of his 2-week-old daughter for the first time during a video teleconference Friday.

Through the Freedom Calls Foundation, Spc. Patrick Auth enjoyed more than an hour with his wife, Bethany Auth, their 2-year-old son, Shane, and little Kayleigh, born Oct. 6 at Fort Hood.

Brookhaven Elementary School in Killeen was the connection point for the global video teleconference.

Though he had seen photos of his daughter and some video through Skype software, Auth, with Golf Company, 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, was overcome with emotion at seeing his family clearly for an extended period.

Seated in a chair in a classroom, the mother of two reported to her husband their daughter's progress — growing from 6 pounds, 9 ounces, to 7 pounds, eating well, keeping mom awake at night.

She told her husband that Shane had taken to his baby sister and that she loved to watch her toddler brother play with toy cars and balls.

"He'll be beating you shooting hoops when you get back," Bethany Auth warned her husband about their active son.

At times, the exchange became emotional as the young dad wished to be home to care for his family directly and as his wife encouraged him and assured him they would be OK. "It's enough we can see you and hear you for now," she said.

Auth deployed Feb. 1 and made it home when his wife was six months pregnant. The couple found out together their second child was a daughter.

At the end of the exchange, Bethany said she was surprised at her husband's strong emotion, claiming she was the one who usually choked up when they talked.

A major factor, she said, was the wide eyes of their 7-pound bundle clearly transmitted for the first time.

"It's been rough him being away," she said. "It's hard for him not to see her. Shane's become the best big brother."

About the video teleconference, she said, "It's wonderful to see and talk at the same time."

Talking through computer software at home is often interrupted and sometimes soldiers don't have access to an Internet connection at a convenient time.

"I'm excited for them to meet for the first time (in person)," she said, looking forward to her husband's expected return in late January.

"He wants her to know him," she said of her husband's desire to bond with his infant daughter. "This is the first time he's had a good look at her. It means so much."