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Marine gets surprise visit from FBI dad

by Cpl. Ray Lewis

Lance Cpl. Michael Bonner's heart almost sunk into his combat boots when he saw who came through that doorway.

Lance Cpl. Michael Bonner, a 21-year-old intelligence specialist, got a visit from his special agent dad at Camp Habbaniyah, Iraq, Nov. 5. His father, Chris Bonner, was on temporary duty assignment with the Federal Bureau of Investigation assisting with the trial of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad, when he stopped here. Both Bonners are from Daytona Beach, Fla. Lance Cpl. Bonner serves with Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment under Regiment Combat Team 5 and will be conducting operations for the next several months. (photo by Cpl. Ray Lewis)

The intelligence specialist, who is serving a seven-month deployment with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, got a surprise visit from his special agent dad here Nov. 5.

Bonner's father, Chris Bonner, is on his second temporary duty assignment with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He is assisting with the arraignment trial of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein in Baghdad.

Chris figured since he's in the same country, why not make it happen.

"When I received my 'TDY,' I knew that my son, Mike, was on assignment with the Marines," said Chris, 54. "After I arrived in Baghdad, I examined ways to visit."

The elder Bonner contacted Capt. Timothy Anderson, his son's commanding officer, through the battalion's website. Then with the authority of the battalion commander, Lt. Col. Todd S. Desgrosseilliers, Bonner and Anderson arranged a flight from Baghdad to Habbaniyah, Iraq.

"It felt great," Chris said. "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity for a father to meet his son in a war zone."

So he snapped up his flak, shouldered a backpack and strapped on his helmet to prepare for the plane. He had to take ride in an armored humvee to his son's destination though.

Chris was full of anticipation, he explained. As he rode the rocky roads in the back of dusty hummer, he said, "I can't believe I'm here and I'm finally going to see him."

Chris caught his son off guard.

"I was excited" Bonner said. "I had no idea that he was showing up."

The two greeted each other with open arms.

"I was elated, given the circumstances why I'm here and why he's here and environment we're in half way around the world from the environment we're accustomed to," Chris said. "You don't get that many chances in life."

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