NEW ORLEANS - Activation for Guardsmen usually means separation from family while serving their country and state. But for Louisiana National Guardsmen 2nd Lt. Kelly T. Hudson, and his son Spc. Jacob R. Hudson, their unit's activation did not cause separation, but rather a chance to serve together along the embattled Louisiana coast.
On April 28, the duo traveled from Harker, Texas to answer the call of duty when their unit, the 527th Engineer Battalion, from West Monroe, La., began to deploy Soldiers along Louisiana's Gulf Coast.
Instead of saying goodbye to each other, as Guard families usually do, the Hudson's saw this as a unique opportunity to serve together.
"I have always wanted to serve with my father," said Jacob, a combat engineer with Headquarters Support Company, 527th Eng. Bn. "We have always found ways to spend time with each other, and looked at this mission as another chance to do so."
Even though they belong to different units within the battalion, they have been able to work closely with each other almost every day since coming to the Gulf Coast.
"Jacob comes over to the Tactical Operations Center when he finishes working for the day to chat, and he sometimes helps me complete some of my tasks. I guess he feels sorry for me when I have to work late," joked the elder Hudson, executive officer of the 1022nd Engineer Company, 527th Eng. Bn.
Hudson married Jacob's mother when he was young and adopted him when he turned 18 years old. He described their relationship as the 'best in the world' and one he wishes all sons had with their fathers.
"He is my best friend, the smartest person I know and it is a pleasure to have him around," said the younger Hudson. "He is always there for me and I cannot imagine what it would be like without him."
Since working on the coastline, the Hudson duo has been able to offer each other some of the comforts of home.
"It has been kind of a stress reliever, because every time I need someone to talk with or confide in, there is not a better person to have around than your father," said Jacob.
Both agreed that serving in the National Guard together has been gratifying because they have a chance to be a part of each other's lives in a special way.
When Jacob participated in the 225th Engineer Brigade's solider-of-the-year competition last March, Hudson was by his son's side as a sponsor and watched him out-score the other competitors to win the contest.
"I was very proud of him," he said. "You always want to see your kids do well and it is a very unique thing for me to be there to help train and mentor him along the way."
When Father's Day rolled around earlier this month, the Hudson's were able to share in the same activities that families in a normal setting would do.
"We did not do anything extreme. Jacob came over to the area where I live and we ate together. Then we just sat out on the porch and enjoyed each other's company," said Hudson.
The senior Hudson enlisted in the Louisiana National Guard and immediately went to officer candidate school to become an engineer officer in the 527th.
"I knew people that were already serving in the 527th and heard that it was a great battalion, so I did not hesitate to make it the unit of my choice," he said.
Once Hudson joined the military, his son knew right away that he wanted to become a Citizen-Soldier and join the ranks beside his dad.
"He started in the 205th Engineer Battalion because he was living in Mandeville, La., at the time, but he quickly transferred to the 527th so that we could live out our dream of serving together," said the senior Hudson.
The battalion's leadership praises both Hudson's for the professional examples they provide to the other Soldiers in the unit.
"They are both outstanding and dedicated Soldiers and have a really great father-son relationship," said Maj. Larry Benton, the executive officer for the 527th Engineer Battalion. "I am proud to have them both serving among the ranks in our battalion."