Infant never met her father. But in his fellow soldiers, she has a Fort Bragg family.
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Spc. Christopher Michael Harris’ cohorts in the 1st Brigade Combat Team, who mourned together when he died last August in a suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan, celebrated together this week when they gathered for a photo shoot with his widow and the infant daughter he never got to meet.
Harris, a native of Jackson Springs, just outside Pinehurst in Moore County, was 25 when he died during his first deployment with the Devil Brigade, a unit of the 82nd Airborne Division based at Fort Bragg. Harris joined the Army in late 2013 and deployed to Afghanistan as a part of a troop surge last fall.
He had learned just days before his death that his wife, Britt, was pregnant with their first child.
After Chris’ death, Britt told friends she was determined to make sure their child grew up knowing Dad was a hero. She engaged the unit — the 504th Infantry Regiment — in the pregnancy by shipping party poppers to the team overseas, sending pink confetti flying as a way to let the soldiers know Harris’ baby would be a girl.
Tiny Christian Michelle Harris, named for her father, was born on March 17, the day the brigade returned home.
Britt Harris shared photos of the baby on social media: wrapped in Dad's camo uniform shirt, or snuggled, sleeping, in a wooden crate between his military portrait and his combat boots.
Last week, Britt Harris introduced Christian in person to about 20 of her dad’s military brothers during a professional photo session at an arboretum in Fayetteville.
Since then, the photos and videos have been picked up by national news outlets and tens of thousands of people have seen images of the soldiers, in their dress uniforms, gathered around the tiny baby in the white onesie that proclaims, “My daddy’s my hero.”
A fund has been started for baby Christian at www.gofundme.com/5mdsmvc
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Heroes don't put out music, play sports or are politicians. Heroes are those who selflessly serve their country. Veterans know the "extended family" created during a deployment. These hero veterans have taken that "extended family" and proved that it includes spouses and children.
I hope this little one and her mother keep in contact with these heroes.
To the Paratroopers of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment. She is part of your family, look after her. Tell her of her father. She will be grateful and feel safe with the elite 82nd Airborne Division on her side.
A sad story that her father was KIA, but a wonderful story in that the ''Devils in Baggy Pants'' of the 504th are her many fathers now.
RIP SPC Harris.
IMO the title should be changed from soldiers to troopers.
I agree, but that's the title used on the article. I've ruffled enough feathers here and this doesn't need to be drug down by that kind of childishness.
You are correct, we shouldn't be changing titles to article.
At least we know what it should be.
It would be nice if members could stop pissing and moaning about politics for a minute and give a salute to Spc Harris, his wife and baby daughter...
Some will, but many can't put aside the animosity to recognize something this precious.
And dont forget her numerous adopted fathers.
Ditto
I saw this on the news.
Sad that he never got to see his child.
At least she can get to know him through an extended family.
A truly sad story. While the child will never get to see her Father in person, there are plenty of his compeers who will make sure that she knows their Father.
In that regard it is a truly beautiful story. The child now has numerous adopted Fathers who will stand in for her birth Father, and make sure that she will always be close to him in her heart and Spirit. And the fund that has been started for her is indeed a Blessing.
I am sure that her Father is watching over her and appreciates the attention she is receiving from his many compeers who have taken her into their hearts.
Thank you for posting this beautiful story. And may the Creator grant her and her many 'Fathers' a long and happy life.
RIP Spc. Christopher Michael Harris
nv-wa-do-hi-ya-dv (Peace)
This story really tugs on the heart strings.
These are the two sentences that I can't stop thinking about.
He had learned just days before his death that his wife, Britt, was pregnant with their first child.
Tiny Christian Michelle Harris, named for her father, was born on March 17, the day the brigade returned home.
Such a beautiful baby girl. I wish her Daddy would have come home to her. All those strong, brave hands holding her in that photo is wonderful but just not the same as Daddy. Her hero!!
I'm off to go blow my nose and wipe my face now because I'm blubbering all over my keyboard.