Two brothers who come from four generations of Navy sailors were reunited in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea last week.
The family of Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Casey Halter and his brother, Fire Controlman 2nd Class Lucas Halter told WJLA the Navy went through great lengths to bring the brother’s together.
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The natives of Olympia, Washington, grew up on the waters of Puget Sound. They hadn’t seen each other in more than five years, but their mother got a call she wasn’t expecting.
“It was my son calling, it was Casey. And then he put Lucas on and they they both told me Happy Mother’s Day,” their mother, Carolyn Halter, said. “So it was the best gift.”
REUNITED– Aviation Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Casey Halter and his brother, Fire Controlman 2nd Class Lucas Halter,…
Posted by USS Harry S. Truman on Thursday, May 17, 2018
Casey Halter is stationed on board the USS Harry Truman air craft carrier, while Lucas Halter is stationed on board the guided missile destroyer USS Porter.
By a twist of fate, the fighting in Syria brought the two battleships just three miles apart.
Casey Halter had been asking his commanders if there was some way he could see his brother, as the ships had been near each other for three weeks.
Last week, Casey Halter’s commanding officer ordered to see him.
“And at that point he was really nervous,” father Greg Halter said. “So they took him upstairs to the commanding officer and went in the door and our son Lucas was sitting on the couch just laughing at him.”
The Navy flew Lucas Halter to the USS Truman so the brothers could finally see each other.
“For me, knowing that they’re together was great because I don’t get to see them,” their mother said. “But it’s good for them to connect.”
Greg Halter said his sons saw what serving in the Navy did for him, and they “decided to do it.” They both just re-enlisted for another six years, he said.
“I have a lot of pride,” Carolyn Halter said, fighting back tears.”They’re wonderful boys. It’s hard. I miss them, and I want them to come home. But I know they’re doing a good thing. They’re doing things to keep why we have this country.”
But, the brothers may have more of an opportunity to spend time together in the near future, as they switch to shore duty.
(H/T: WJLA)