Military dad-daughter duo get a virtual Father's Day surprise

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Photo credit File photo

 

Carolina Panthers All-Pro Christian McCaffrey and his dad Ed, a former NFL wideout, recently teamed up with USAA and the USO of NC to virtually surprise a military family in honor of Father’s Day.

The McCaffrey's joined  Marine Gunnery Sgt. Jeremy C and his daughter, Air Force Senior Airman Ella R., in a virtual meet-up to celebrate their service.

“To me, Father’s Day is a special day. I always wanted to be like my dad,” Christian McCaffrey said. “And I just remember going to the games and hanging out with some of his teammates and, you know, just kind of having blast in the locker room. So those are days I will never forget.”

“I’ve been paying a lot of attention to Christian McCaffrey, how he’s been training during the pandemic,’ said Jeremy.

Jeremy has served for 16 years and is currently stationed at Camp Lejeune. N.C. Ella has served for three years and is based at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Virginia.

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Ella said there was a particular moment when she knew she wanted to follow in her dad’s footsteps and join the military.

“For me, it was when I turned 18,” she said. “I realized it was time to be an adult.  We had a really good life as a military family. Why not keep it going.”.

Ella said Father’s Day is important to her because she is adopted.

“For me, it is very meaningful. He chose to be my dad," she said.

According to figures provided by USAA,  80% of military recruits come from families where at least one member has served; and 25% have a parent who has served. 

Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.

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