Soldier Follows Father's Footsteps
(January 13, 2011) |
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BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – Many sons aspire to
follow in their fathers' footsteps. U.S. Army Pfc.
John L. Pillow is no exception.
Pfc. Pillow's
father is U.S. Army Col. James Pillow, Task Force
MED-East chief of operations.
Col. Pillow, a
nearly 26-year Army veteran, began his career at
Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Years later Pfc. Pillow, now
assigned to 2nd Platoon, Troop A, 1st Squadron, 61st
Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st
Airborne Division, did the same.
“I thought
it was very unique that my son and I both went to
Leonard Wood for basic training,” said Col. Pillow,
Madeira Beach, Fla., native.
After basic
training, the elder Pillow was recommended for
Officer Candidate School and received his commission
to second lieutenant as an ordnance officer on May
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Col. James Pillow, Task Force
MED-East chief of operations, and U.S. Army Pfc.
John L. Pillow, a medic with 2nd Platoon, Troop A,
1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade
Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, eat
Thanksgiving dinner together at Forward Operating
Base Connolly in Nangarhar province Nov. 25, 2011.
James and John Pillow are both assigned to Regional
Command-East, eastern Afghanistan. (Photo by U.S.
Air Force Capt. Bridgette Scott, Task Force
MED-East) |
| 14, 1988. Starting out
in the Tennessee National Guard, he switched to
active duty in March 1989 when he joined the medical
service corps. |
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Pfc. Pillow, a native of Duluth, Ga., also chose a
profession in the medical field. He is a medic stationed at
Fort Campbell, Ky., while his dad's home base is Pinellas
Park, Fla.
Pfc. Pillow said they saw each other two
weekends a month and usually on Christmas every year prior
to going to Afghanistan.
Their paths crossed in
Afghanistan where they now both serve in Regional
Command-East. Col. Pillow arrived in Afghanistan in May and
his son followed in August.
“It's really cool that we
are both in Afghanistan right now,” said Pfc. Pillow. “Not
too many people get to see their fathers or sons when they
are deployed.”
Pfc. Pillow said they have seen each
other four or five times since being in Afghanistan.
The younger Pillow traveled from Forward Operating Base
Connolly to Bagram Airfield to pin his father Oct. 23 when
he was promoted from lieutenant colonel to colonel.
“It was a very special ... experience to have (my son) here
for my promotion,” said Col. Pillow.
“Plenty of
people were there who meant a lot to him from the hospital,”
Pfc. Pillow. “It was really cool to be able to be a big part
of it.”
The father and son will both redeploy in the
spring. |
Article and photo by Army Sgt. Grant Matthes
41st Fires Brigade, PAO
Copyright 2011 | |
Provided
through DVIDS
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