Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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Coco Warner reporting West Valley's Shawn Barrett is a Marine. He's also a husband and most recently, a father.
Normally, these roles wouldn't be at odds with each other. But as the Barrett family learned, sometimes life doesn't get to be "normal."
Corporal Shawn Barrett: "SHE WAS ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS PREGNANT AND WE RECEIVED OUR ACTIVATION ORDERS, CHARLIE COMPANY WAS GOING TO BE ACTIVATED."
Although the timing wasn't perfect, Shawn and April Barrett had prepared themselves for this possibility. For almost a year, they'd been waiting for his orders.
They didn't know that the timing would end up meaning everything.
Corporal Shawn Barrett: "WE FELT A LITTLE BIT SHORTCHANGED, BECAUSE I WANTED TO SEE MY DAUGHTER BEFORE I HAD TO LEAVE.""
As it turned out, he got that chance. Shawn's departure was delayed, and doctors induced April Monday night. Kaitlyn Dawn was born on Tuesday, March 11th. Shawn was scheduled to leave the next day, but again, he was delayed. A delay, that would change everything.
Corp. Shawn Barrett: "FIFTEEN MINUTES BEFORE WE WERE SUPPOSED TO REPORT ON SUNDAY IS WHEN KAITLYN'S LIFE TOOK A TURN FOR THE WORST AND SHE WENT INTO FULL ARREST."
Kaitlyn was flown to Primary's Children's hospital and Shawn was given an emergency leave. Kaitlyn managed to hold on a few more days, but passed away March 18th. She was one week old.
Corp. Shawn Barrett: "IT JUST MEANT EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD TO ME, TO BE ABLE TO SPEND THAT TIME WITH HER."
April Barrett: "AND WE GOT TO HOLD HER AT HER FUNERAL. THAT WAS GOOD. AND WE GOT TO DRESS HER. I'M GLAD THAT IT WAS 'WE.' I'M JUST GRATEFUL FOR THAT."
And now that he has been there for his wife and his family, he says it's time to join his other family, and be there for his country.
Corp. Shawn Barrett: "AND SO THERE NEVER WAS A QUESTION IN MY MIND. I ALWAYS KNEW I HAD TO GO AND MY UNIT AND THE MARINES THAT ARE IN THAT UNIT, I CANNOT IMAGINE NOT BEING THERE WITH THEM."
April Barrett: "I KNOW I COULDN'T HAVE DONE THE WHOLE FUNERAL AND STUFF WITHOUT HIM. BUT NOW IT'S TIME FOR ME TO BE STRONG AND YOU TO GO DO YOUR JOB."
A job that begins immediately. Shawn left for Camp Pendelton this afternoon.
Shawn and April Barrett also wanted to express their gratitude for their family, friends and the staff at Primary Children's Hospital.
