A SOLDIER'S PERSPECTIVE
THE WEB'S LEADING MILITARY BLOG SINCE 2004
Staff Sgt. Michael S. Mulligan, a truck commander with A Troop, 1st Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) and a Trezevant, Tenn., native, attempts to communicate with his wife Lorrie March 10 during the birth of his daughter, Candyce.
Staff Sgt. Michael Mulligan, a truck commander with A Troop, 1st Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) and a Trezevant, Tenn., native, said when his wife found out she was pregnant, he knew he was going to miss the birth.
After determining that he would definitely be in Iraq when the baby was due, Lorrie, his wife, asked her doctor if he would allow her to share the birth with her husband via video chat on the Internet.
“Our doctor said it went against hospital policy,” Mulligan said. “He had never done this before, but he thought this was a perfect opportunity to do it.”
Mulligan, was able to monitor the progress of the birth on the Internet March 10 from Contingency Operating Base Taji, Iraq, but the doctor put the chat on hold when Lorrie received epidural anesthesia.
“I was going crazy for 40 minutes, wondering what was going on,” Mulligan said.
When they turned the video back on, Mulligan said his sister appeared on his computer screen: “Get ready,” she said, “the doctor said she (Lorrie) is going to deliver in 10 minutes.”
Ten minutes later Mulligan’s daughter, Candyce, was born.
“The doctor held her up for me to see,” he said.
Mulligan said the doctor checked on the baby, checked on Lorrie, walked by the camera, looked down and thanked him for being in Iraq and congratulated him on a new baby girl.
The baby was named Candyce Brianna after Mulligan’s mother, who died in 2003.
Mulligan said he talked about his wife’s pregnancy with Capt. Patrick Carneal, commander of A Troop, last September.
The commander of the Tennessee Army National Guard unit based out of Huntington and Waynesboro, Tenn., “was very upfront about it,” said Mulligan.
“I understood that I wasn’t going to be able to come home from the deployment for the birth,” he said. “But the captain assured me that he would do everything in his power to see that I was in front of my computer when the baby was born.”
The night Candyce was born, the Carneal allowed Mulligan to stay back from the mission he was scheduled to be on.
Michael and Lorrie Mulligan now have three children.
Story by Staff Sgt. Thomas Greene, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment
Photo by Sgt. Shannon Gregory, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment
(47) Readers Comments
Leave a Reply
![[UPDATE] The “Face” of Military Dating Scams – The Wall of Shame](http://militarygear.com/asp/wp-content/themes/LondonLive/thumb.php?src=http://militarygear.com/asp/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2.jpg&w=53&h=41&zc=1&q=100)
Anatomy of a Military Dating Scam
to Anonn, thank you. i thought so. i just want a clear picture of his
Military Dating Scams (More Nigerian Scammers)
New Scam to be aware of……….I am 2LT. Anderson Darrell Clinton , an off
Anatomy of a Military Dating Scam
New Scam to be aware of……….I am 2LT. Anderson Darrell Clinton , an off
[UPDATE] The "Face" of Military Dating Scams - The Wall of Shame
New Scam to be aware of……….I am 2LT. Anderson Darrell Clinton , an off
Pingback: Sunday Reading II « BLITZKRIEG BOPP
Madukes
I wish you all the happiness in the world when you get to hold your new daughter and hopefully it will be real soon. Thank you for serving our Country. This is what America is all about.
Kristen
This was a great read! I wish they had this technology when I was born.
If you are a military kid, you may enjoy this blog for Military brats: http://bratblog.brightwellpublishing.net/
Cindy
Congratulations on your new baby. Here is hoping that you get home soon to see her. God bless you for your service to our country.
amanda
rrr mate that must of been so nice for u to see ur daughter being born from whever u are x keep up the hard work mate and congratulations to u and family x
Trudy Douget
Our soldiers deserve every break they can get. This is awesome since he could not be home. No one should miss the birth of their child. Bless all who made this possible and thanks to all our servicemen and women.
Rene
What a fantastic story!!! Congratulations on the birth of your baby girl, and hats off to the doctor for allowing this to happen!!! These are the stories I want to read about and MUCH less about Lindsay Lohan and other Hollywood losers!!!!! Thank you for your service to our country!!!
Jill
What a beautiful story… Thank you to all the Troops serving our great Nation! I am so proud to be a fellow American! God Bless you all
charlotte verrett
I have a son in Iraq. This awesome!!!! So glad that you were able to watch on the computer. congradulation
Terrie
Horray to Capt. Patrick Carneal who rearranged thing so this man could stay by the computer!
Natasha
This is a fantastic sory of joy! Congratulations on yr new daughter + well done 4 all yr hard work. We never had this technology when I was born!
Mareaux
I’m sorry you had to be away from your family and in Iraq at all, but so glad you were able to share the birth via the computer. That is probably the best use of the Internet there is! Safe mission, safe journey, swift return! Valhalla from a Veteran!
Karen
this is great. I am so happy we can include these soldiers that are out here fighting to keep us safe. Congrats on the new baby. And thank you for fighting for our us.
tiffany
i wish they had this at the hospital where i had my child cuz my husband missed everything where he was deployed to afghaistan an didnt make it back home till a week after our son was born.
renee
ahhh what a wonderful moment for both mum and dad well done mum enjoy your beautiful baby and god bless your brave husband xxx
jess
thats so awesome! I loved how the dr thanked him for being in iraq!
Lee Ann Barronton
Michael Mulligan deserved to be able to see his dtr being born. For goodness sake, he is giving his time/life to keep us free. I am thankful he had an understanding boss who allowed him to stay in front of the computer that night. Seeing his dtr’s birth was special for all of the family. Birth’s are miracles in and of themselves so I’m excited for his family to have him there by internet at least.
carolyn norton
THIS WAS WONDERFUL,I REALLY ENJOYED THIS STORY,WHAT A BLESSING AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU SOLDIERS FOR EVERYTHING YA’LL ARE DOING FOR OUR COUNTRY. MAY GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU ALL ON YOUR JOURNEY UNTILL YOU COME HOME.
LOVE AND PRAYERS TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU,CAROLYN
barbara wharton
WHAT A WONDERFUL BLESSING FOR YOU TO SEE THE BIRTH OF YOUR DAUGHTER…AND I’M SURE YOUR WIFE WAS SO HAPPY KNOWING YOU WERE THERE .WHAT A WONDERFUL STORY YOU BOTH CAN SHARE, WITH YOUR DAUGHTER SOMEDAY …HAPPY DAY……BARB
Veronica Cripple
What a great story and what a wonderful captain you have to have allowed you to witness the birth of your daughter. Thank you for your service soldier and congratulations to you and Lorrie on the birth of Candyce. Always watch your back and come home safe!
Diana
This story is awesome! My husband and I are in the same situation…Hope we get as lucky as they did for him to get to see the birth!
Dawn
this was an amazing story.so very happy that he got to see such a wonderful experiance.Congrats to both parents and keep fighting for our freedom we will never forget our fallen heros and the ones who make it home safe and in one peice
Margaret Ann James
This was wonderful…
Joanne Fernandes
What a precious gift! Congratulations Sir (I know it’s quite late to be saying that but this just came to my attention)
My son serves with Vermont’s 86th infantry and they are on deployment in Afghanistan right now. I know that at least one of the soldiers serving in the same unit was facing leaving a pregnant wife to go overseas. I’m pretty sure the fellow ended up not going for some reason, but just the thought of a man missing something like the birth of his child is heartbreaking and to know that our military took those steps to make sure it was possible makes me feel better.
Staff Sgt Mulligan: thank you for your service. Knowing how difficult this had to have been for you and your wife brings to light another aspect of the sacrifices you men and we, the families, make; you men – to fulfill your duties, we at home – to support you unconditionally as you do your job. Mat God Bless You All
~ Sincerely; Joanne, a Proud Army Mom
Terry
It must have been a wonderful thing to see the birth of your child.My husband was in the Saudi War in 1990/1991,I ahd our first son in February of “91″ and he was gone for the whole time and did not get to see the bith.Now 19 years later my son is going into the Navy in October
.Thank you all for everything you do
Susan
What a great story!!! We should do whatever we can to make the lives of our men and women
serving overseas as comfortable as we can and let them know~in many ways~ just how very much they’re appreciated and loved for their selfless sacrifices!!!
Cheryle
Congrats on the n\birth of your beautiful daughter and thank you for all that you do for me and our country. Be safe and may GOD be with you always…
dawn
That is so sweet and beautiful that he got a chance to see his daughter being born even though he was not there but this will always be treasured in his heart. congratulations to your family on the birth of your 3rd child hope she knows that no matter where you are at your always loved.
Nina Lee
Congrats to you and your wife sir. And I and my husband would love to get this chance to say thank you and all the others over their for all you do to make sure we are all safe back here in the states. My son Staff Srg. Vance D. Gwynn is a Marine. Right now he is in S.C. but I remember when he was deployed over there it was so hard on us all at home worrying about him and his safety. So I also want to say thank you to your family at this time. I know about the sacrifices they make every day. Again Congrats and Thank you all so very much
Marie
What can be better !!!!
Tom Buzz Doherty
If there is a way the military will find it. Great Job Capt.and great job Mom and Baby.
Judith Becker
Well, how cool!!!! I am so happy for your family & that you got to be a part of the birth, even if it was computer. It’s too bad that so many people us this for so much bad when SO MUCH good can come from the internet!!!!! Congradulations to all of you! Keep safe! Thank you for serving us!!!!!
Kathy
I am sitting crying for this couple… What an AWESOME story…. Never forget our troops…
millie
this truely brought tears to my eye’s this was like a miracle an it was as with out computer’s an all he would of not seen this im very happy for him an his wife an i love the baby’s name
Tina
What a wonderful Blessing, just think a few years ago we could not do this. We have our wonderful God for giving all the people in this world to know all the technology, so we can have things like ths happen. I am so very sorry you where in Irag when your little girl was born, but I am so happy you got to see it happen. I have a son in Afgha. right now and I send all my prayers and Blessing to all the Men and Women in our Military. Thank you for sharing your story.
Percy Tucker
S o much for modern tecnoligy,
Congratulations to you and your family,
Keep safe you and the lads are doing a good job out there but I’m looking forward to day when you all are home safe in this country,
I salute you all, God Bless.
Annabelle Solano
Congratulations on your little baby girl!!!!! I am glad 2 know that the doctor allow this 2 happen. It’s so nice 2 be able 2 watch your baby born it really doesn’t matter how you watch them being born what matters is watch them bein born in a live cam. Keep up the hard work. I salute you all, good bless you and your family.
Patricia G.
Yeah thank you for what you are doing there for us here. And I thank the person that arranged that to happen for you. I am happy for you!!!
Judith
Well done to mum and baby. God Bless you family and keep you safe. good work out there!
tarte
Skype is the most awesome thing invented!!!! When my son was in Iraq,,,,it was a big stress reliever just knowing I could not only talk to him like on the phone,,,,but I was also able to see him face to face & know he was ok!!!
judy ahrens
This was so uplifting for me! My daughter is on deployment right now and i miss her so much. But this really helped me relize that things could be worse. Thanks for sharing your story. God Bless you and your family!
bety Clum
Thavk You, Thank You, Thank you
Thank you—GOD BLESS YOU
Barbara Morris
CONGRADULATIONS !!!! Wonderful story…. So happy you could witness your daughters birth.. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SERVING SO WE COULD BE FREE. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS…
Dee (Rice) Russell
Congratulations on the birth of your baby girl! And may we all give thanks to the Lord for the technology that allowed this brave soldier to witness the birth of his child from so many miles away!! Thank you, Staff Sgt. Mulligan for your service to our country & the sacrifices you’re making to protect our freedoms. May God Bless you & your family and carry you home safely.
Geri Saville
What a blessing, the magic of technology today. Good wishes for mommy,you and baby?May God richly bless you.
Lori Bowers
How fabulous that you got to be there anyway! God bless your sweet little family – I hope all is well with mama and baby and other little ones. Thank you so very much for your amazing service to our country and to us. I pray for our troops and families and we appreciate you so much. God bless..
Pepper
Congratulations, and thank you for serving!