Cody Phillips doesn't have anything planned for Father's Day.
That's because Phillips, on leave from Iraq, already received his greatest gift: witnessing the birth of his newborn son.
"It's instantly a life-changing experience," said Phillips, 24, holding the infant in his Orange Park home with his wife, Ashlee, 24, by his side. "I've been ready for it since nine months ago, but laying eyes on him, being near him, holding him — it's the best thing ever."
The two named their son William Gavin Phillips, in recognition of the family's Irish heritage. He was born Tuesday.
Cody Phillips wasn't even sure he would make it home in time for his son's birth. He was deployed in January with the Army National Guard 224th Maintenance Company. He is stationed in southern Iraq, in Tallil, with the 39th Infantry Brigade.
Phillips requested leave in February, while at Camp Shelby in Mississippi. He was informed he could take leave 10 days before he came home. Since his wife was due June 17, doctors induced labor so he could witness the birth.
There were no complications during birth and mother and son are healthy, he said. The couple has a few more days together to adjust to having a new baby before Phillips must go back to Iraq.
"It's amazing," said Ashlee Phillips, watching her child. Her husband agreed."It's the best thing ever," Phillips said. "Everything you do becomes for him."
The couple has been married for three years and have known each other since they were in first grade. Phillips began his military career when he was 17, and plans to stay in the military as long as he can, he said.
"I'm a 'lifer,'" he said. "I re-enlisted for another six years. I love it. If it were not for Uncle Sam, I would have nothing I have right now."
Since Phillips must leave Thursday, he's been following his wife and son with a video camera, so he can take back videos and pictures, he said. Technology has increased and soldiers have access to the Internet when they're not working, he said. The United Service Organizations (USO) provides phone cards for soldiers so they can call home.
While he is gone, Ashlee Phillips stays busy. Since both sides of the family are in the area, it makes the time away easier, she said.
"I'm proud of him," she said. "He's taking care of us and doing what he's got to do. I can't ask for anything better." One year, she counted the total number of days he was home — it added up to 10 or 11 weeks, she said. "It's part of it," she said. "That's part of the sacrifice we make."
While overseas, Phillips maintains vehicles for a convoy escort for the 39th Infantry Brigade. Local nationals also work with them.
"It's a good mission," he said. "A lot of good stuff goes on folks don't hear about." He said the temperature in Iraq is much hotter than in Jacksonville, and the area where he left was 139 degrees, he said.
Both expressed thanks to the community, especially the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Elks Lodge and the American Legion for sending care packages and supporting the families. They also thanked the Family Readiness Group with the 224th Maintenance Company, which is ready to help families at a moment's notice.
"It's overwhelming how good everyone has been," Cody Phillips said, adding he wished Vietnam War veterans could have had the same welcome home he experienced when he got off the airplane in Atlanta.
While both are enjoying their new baby, the next time the three expect to be together is at Christmas. "The hardest thing is to have to leave," Cody Phillips said. "I go over there and do what I got to do so maybe my son won't have to. I'm more than willing to self-sacrifice for this little guy."
Keith Goldstein, Editor