Modern technology helps make “almost a Kleenex moment” between father & son

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Luis Loza Gutierrez
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  One Air Force father and son put modern technology to work in order to help keep military tradition alive during a ceremony earlier this month.

Tech. Sgt. Rick Long Jr., a flightline expediter from the 69th Maintenance Squadron, took the oath of enlistment from his father, Rick Long Sr.

Both men could not be physically present in one location because of scheduling conflicts so the ceremony was performed via broadcast from a digital projection screen. The ceremony was held on April 2, at the Gen. Randy Holzapple Conference Room inside the 319th Air Base Wing headquarters building located here and broadcast to another teleconference room at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

"Even if the original plan had been for my dad to physically come up here he wouldn't have been able to make it during the last two," said Sergeant Long, referring to the blizzard experienced by the north eastern part of North Dakota, which saw 12 to 14 inches of snow fall in much of the local area forcing the closure of main roadways. Wind gusts in excess of 50 miles per hour and whiteout conditions forced all flights to be cancelled or delayed significantly during the winter storm as well.

Military tradition dictates that an officer administers the oath of enlistment. This privilege is also afforded to retired officers. Since Sergeant Long's father retired as a captain after many years as an enlisted member there was no objection to the request.

"This has been a pleasure and honor for me not just as an officer but as father," said Rick Sr. "It's always an important thing for fathers to see their sons grow up to be a man. Having my son serve in the military has allowed me to see that happen."

Seconds after the oath was administered, Sergeant Long, an 11-year active-duty veteran who calls Waynesville, Mo., his hometown, saluted proudly at the web camera showing his father the proper customs and courtesy.

He then signed his name on the official paperwork that would extend his military service another five years. This was his second reenlistment.

He thanked his father one more time and also thanked his younger brother, Ryan and mother, Ruth, for attending as well.

Mrs. Long described the occasion as "almost a Kleenex moment," hinting at the possibility of shedding tears over the occasion along with her motherly desire to be physically be at her son's side.

"I wish I was there so I could give him a big hug and tell him how much we love him, and how very proud we are of him," said Mrs. Long followed with a big smile for her eldest son.

Although the ceremony from lasted less than three minutes, Sergeant Long said the event gave him a lot to reflect upon.

"Having my family be part of this moment is very special to me because this was the first time anything like this ever happened," said the reminiscent NCO.

He explained that because of different reasons his family was not able to attend any of his military ceremonies. His graduations from basic military training and tech school were events he said his family wanted to attend, but couldn't. Those missed opportunities and the fact that he is a single man with no relatives nearby made the brief and technology-enabled occasion all the more special.

"It really means a lot to me of had them be a part of this moment in my career," said Sergeant Long. "It was great to hear their voices and see them all smile live on the big projection screen."

Sergeant Long reflected further by sharing that having his father administer the oath made him feel very nervous.

"I felt as I was back at MEPS [Military Entrance Processing Station] taking part in my very first enlistment ceremony," said Long. "But the nerves and the time was well worth it because I always looked up to my father and hearing him say how important it was for him to see me grow into a man makes me even more glad to have followed in his footsteps."

Sergeant Long concluded his thoughts on the event by expressing his thanks to the Airmen who helped make the ceremony a possibility.

Long thanked the leadership from both bases and all the communications specialists like Senior Airman Jay Traver, who helped set up the video feed from Grand Forks to Wright-Patterson.

He said he was glad to know that the Air Force used some of today's technology to bring him and his family together. He hopes other Airmen will be encouraged to seek similar help to bring them and their families together, even if that time together is, "almost a Kleenex moment."