Army Specialist Races Home For Son's Birth
HOOKSTOWN (KDKA) -- Imagine being in a war zone and racing halfway around the world to be present for the birth of your first child. Well, one local veteran tried to do just that.
For Specialist Addison Lee Gloor, this Veterans Day is like none other. He's halfway into his second tour in Iraq and home on leave. He's also five days into his lifetime tour as Dad.
"He's the healthiest baby ever seen. He looks like me. He looks good," he said.
Can't blame the 23-year-old soldier from Hookstown in Beaver County for having pride in his son, Adden. The little man's uniform proclaims Dad as his hero and for good reason. This vet nearly made it from halfway around the world to be there for his birth.
"My wife went into labor when I was about to get on the plane in Kuwait," he said
But baby Adden was the commanding officer in this operation.
"I was eight hours away. Missed it by eight hours," Addison said.
Daddy's home, but despite surviving two IED's attacks and being shot once, he said he felt more nervous picking up the baby. And then there was diaper changing. Addison has dodged bullets and bombs, but not Adden's aim.
"Changing a diaper is like a mission. One day he's fine, next he's squirming all over the place."
The real hero, Addison will tell you, is his wife Ashley.
"You have to be positive, you have to be. If you don't you won't make it," she said.
This family affair, however, is on Army time. Nov. 23 Addison heads back to Iraq. It'll be hard for Dad, but worse for Mom.
"It's gonna be hard but I can do it," Ashley said.
So Dad will be leaving marching orders with his little guy.
