Brandon Twp.- Joe Miller has missed a lot of ‘firsts? in his young son’s life, but there was one first that could wait until the Army sergeant took leave from a 15-month deployment to Iraq.
Luisier Miller, now 17-months old, got his first haircut on Feb. 20, while seated on his daddy’s lap at Amedae Salon.
‘I missed his first words and his first steps and his first birthday, but this way I didn’t miss his first everything,? Joe Miller said as Luisier played with a hair clip.
There were smiles all around as stylist Lori Owen cut Luisier’s long locks and his mother, grandmother and aunt looked on.
Miller joined the Army more than five years ago and has spent the last eight months deployed to Tikrit. He returned to Michigan on Feb. 16 for an 18-day leave. Luisier and Denise, Joe’s wife, are living with his parents, Carole and Greg Chaban, in Goodrich during his deployment.
‘It’s amazing having him here and spending time together,? Denise said.
A few other firsts also were reserved for Joe’s return home? in the first few days of his leave, he accompanied Luisier to his first movie (‘Step Up II?), first Pistons game (dad got the baby a basketball jersey) and the family was set to take their first family vacation, a week-long trip to Puerto Rico, the next day.
Joe, 23, will return to Iraq this week, where he works on helicopters. He noted it’s very cold in Michigan, a big change from Tikrit, but he has enjoyed playing with Luisier in the snow and is glad to be home, even for a short time.
‘It’s exciting,? he says, smiling at the son who hasn’t left his arms.