LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- High school graduation is a time for families to come together to celebrate the achievement of completing school. For those in the military, there comes an inherent risk of missing out on such special moments, as was the case for Chief Master Sgt. Adam McComb, 47th Medical Group superintendent.
"This was not the first time that my military obligations caused me to miss a family event," said Chief McComb. "I have missed Christmas, birthdays, basketball seasons and the first day in a new school. But this one was different. I didn't want to miss this moment."
High school graduation is a significant milestone for a teen. "It's a milestone that marks the end of childhood and the beginning of adulthood," Chief McComb said. A milestone most often shared and celebrated with friends and family, but unfortunately for Garrett, it was a bit different.
Missing his son's graduation was not easy for Chief McComb, but although he wasn't able to be there in person, he was able to appear at his son's graduation, thanks to the efforts of many Laughlin members and Del Rio High School.
Garrett McComb, son of Chief Master Sgt. Adam McComb, 47th Medical Operations superintendent, stands at the Del Rio
High School graduation in Del Rio, Texas, June 5, 2015. Garrett was singled out to shown a video from his dad who is
deployed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ariel D. Partlow)
A couple months before the graduation, Laughlin Airmen recorded Chief McComb before he left, allowing him to give a heartfelt speech to his son, Garrett, via a video message in front of the entire graduating class and audience.
"I was shocked," said Garrett. "It was an amazing experience, and for people to put that much thought and time into something just for me...words can't express how grateful I am."
Garrett found out mere months before his graduation that his dad wouldn't be there to watch him walk across the platform.
"The days leading up to graduation...I tried not to think about it," said Garrett. "I blew it off, and didn't even open my cap and gown until the day before [graduation]."
But once at the graduation, Garrett was overcome with emotion at seeing his father and hearing what he had to say.
Chief Master Sgt. Adam McComb addresses his son, Garrett, via a prerecorded video at his high school graduation at Del
Rio High School, Texas, June 5, 2015. Chief McComb recorded the video when he found out he'd be deployed on the day
of his son's graduation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ariel D. Partlow)
I cried, but it wasn't a sad cry," said Garrett. "I was happy to see him, and I felt like [because of the video], he was a part of my graduation."
While Chief McComb had been there for his son for most of his life, the surprise of his son seeing him at his graduation is an experience he won't ever forget.
"It was amazing to see the video, and I would like to say 'thank you' again to everyone that made this possible," Garrett said. "It was an unforgettable experience, to say the least."