Siblings Reunite In Afghanistan
by Army Staff Sgt. Jason Epperson - January 11, 2012
KHOWST PROVINCE, Afghanistan (1/7/2011) – Having three deployed
members in one family would seem unlikely; however, for the Hale
family, it's a reality. With a little help, they were able to
reconnect after a four-year separation, at Forward Operating Base
Salerno, Jan. 6.
U.S. Army Sgt. Nicholaus A. Hale (left), a squad leader with C Company, 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, U.S. Army Sgt. Adam M. Hale, an infantryman with B Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade and U.S. Army Capt. Rikki Salyers,
of the Indiana National Guard's 4-19th Agri-Business Development
Team, reunite at Forward Operating Base Salerno, Afghanistan Jan. 6,
2012.. Photo by Spc. Eric-James Estrada
U.S. Army Capt. Rikki Salyers, of the Indiana National Guard's
4-19th Agri-Business Development Team and her two stepbrothers, U.S.
Sgt. Nicholaus A. Hale, a squad leader with C Company, 1st
Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team,
25th Infantry Division, and U.S. Sgt. Adam M. Hale, an infantryman
with B Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 172nd
Infantry Brigade came to the attention of Regional Command-East,
after their father reached out to Maj. Gen. Daniel Allyn, Combined
Joint Task Force-1 commanding general.
Though they are
step-siblings, Salyers, a native of Oxford, Ind., stationed at FOB
Salerno, refers to them as brothers.
“Technically they're my
step-brothers, but I've never considered them [that].” Salyers, who
works with the Women's Outreach
Program, explains. “We've been together since I was in fourth grade,
so they are my brothers.”
The last time the siblings were united was four years
ago, according to Salyers.
“Our parents flew us in to
Arkansas,” she said. “That was our Christmas present. We
actually got to come together for a family Christmas and get
some pictures, so it was a really good time.”
Nicholaus, serving at Combat Outpost Mizan, said his father
was instrumental in getting the three of them together.
“I was actually at FOB Lagman in a transient tent,
getting ready to head back to COP Mizan from R&R, and I got
forwarded an e-mail from my dad that he had sent to General
Allyn, and [Brig.] Gen Schwietzer. He said they had planned
on getting us back together.”
Adam serves at Combat
Outpost Zerok. As the last of the siblings to join the Army,
he talked to his brother about going to see him during this
deployment. However, no plans were ever actually made.
“It was a pretty new development.” Adam said. “I feel
pretty excited. I haven't seen my brother or sister for a
few years so it's pretty cool to see them over here.”
After the three reunited, they spent the evening
reminiscing about old times and shared a few laughs.
“Just to be able to be with family here in Afghanistan is
kind of surreal,” Sayers said. ‘To me family is everything,
so it makes it all worth it with us being here and what
we're doing.”
By Army Staff Sgt. Jason Epperson Combined Joint Task Force 1 - Afghanistan
Provided
through DVIDS Copyright 2012
