Vet News: Face of Defense: Soldier Follows in Father’s, Grandfather’s Footsteps

Special to American Forces Press Service

CAMP TAJI, Iraq, Jan. 8, 2008 – When Christopher J. Forit Jr. decided to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather more than two years ago, he started a voyage that would lead him halfway around the world.

Army Pvt. Christopher J. Forit Jr., a food service specialist from Renegade Troop, 4th Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, passes a case of drinks to a dining facility worker at Camp Taji, Iraq, Jan. 1, 2008. Forit’s family comprises three generations of servicemembers.

It all began with a trip to the recruiter’s office. Forit, now an Army private who hails from Fresno, Calif., chose to continue his family’s tradition of military service by becoming one of the thousands of soldiers who joined a military deeply entrenched in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"My family really influenced my decision to join the Army," said Forit, a food service specialist in Renegade Troop, 4th Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, from Fort Hood, Texas. "My grandfather was an infantryman in the Korean War, and my dad was the in the Army for a while; he was stationed in Italy for a few years."

In addition to helping this 23-year-old make the decision to join the military, his father and grandfather also influenced another member of his family to enlist. "My brother, Derek, joined the Army the exact same day I did, and we even shipped off to basic training the same day," he said.

Enlisting in the military during a time of unrest throughout the world, Forit knew his first deployment would be in his near future, he said.

"When I found out I was coming to Iraq, I was really excited," he said. "My family and my fiancee, Chong Lee, were all very sad I was leaving, but they’re all proud and supportive of what I’m doing."

Since his deployment to Iraq, Forit has been performing various dining facility duties.

"He’s a good soldier," said Army Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Williams, noncommissioned officer in charge of the Command Sgt. Maj. Cooke Dining Facility here. "I really think he has a bright future in the military."

Forit said he plans on staying in the military for a long time to earn a college degree and that he hopes to retire as a first sergeant. Many years from now, after he has retired, Forit said, he may be able to share his experiences in the military with his children and grandchildren.

"I think when I look back on my service, I know I’ll be proud of what we accomplished," he said. "Sometimes I wish I could do more, but just being in Iraq makes me feel like at least I’m doing my part."

(Army Sgt. Brandon Little serves with the Task Force 12 Public Affairs Office.)

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Defense