“My husband, LT Patrick Byers, deployed to the Middle East when I was 8 months pregnant with our first child. We knew it was going to be a boy, and so we decided to name him Declan James. We were hopeful that my husband could return home to witness our son’s birth, but unfortunately he was unable to come back due to mission priorities. It was devastating to be apart for one of the most special moments of our lives, but Declan had his own plan to let us know he was thinking about his dad. He decided he was going to be born a week early, on the 4th of July, the most perfect day to honor his dad who was away serving our country! Our little patriotic boy held onto his Stars and Stripes up until his 5 month birthday when his dad returned home and held him for the first time! Words can’t describe what it felt like to have our family together for the first time, but this video might! – Jenny Byers
