Son and father reunite for birthday in Afghanistan Published Sept. 17, 2013 By Staff Sgt. Stephenie Wade 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- A proud Air Force father surprised his son on his birthday here Sept. 17, 2013. Lt. Col. Jonathon McBeth and Senior Airman Jonathan McBeth shared the entire day together. The two had not seen each other for more than two years. "I texted him this morning to let him know I was here [at Bagram]," said Colonel McBeth, who deployed to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan from Hurlburt Field, Fla. Following the text, they met up for lunch with Airman McBeth's unit. "We ate lunch in the dining facility and then everyone sang 'Happy Birthday' to me as I blew out simulated candles," said Airman McBeth, who is deployed from Buckley Air Force Base, Colo., and a native of Sulphur, Okla. "Then me and my dad played a game of pool and chess, both of which he beat me at one-handed." This wasn't the first time the two have crossed paths overseas. Because Colonel McBeth's job required him to travel around Afghanistan, he was able to see his son twice before. However, this was the first time they could spend a fair amount of time together. "This is a pretty special day because I have been in the military 25 years and my son is turning 25 years old," said Colonel McBeth, a native of Davis, Okla. "The day John was born, I had just graduated from basic training and returned home, so I never forget this day."