It's heart-warming story of people working together to get a new father back home. Ryan Parsley was in Texas, training with the Air National Guard, when his wife found out their baby would be delivered three months early. The news prompted several organizations to help unite a new family.
The Red Cross, Air National Guard, Community Regional Medical Center, and American Airlines all played a role in the reunion. Parsley was over a thousand miles away when his wife called and said their baby was coming early.
While the nation was glued to their TV's, anticipating Hurricane Sandy, Jennifer Parsley was in the hospital. She was told she needed an emergency C-Section. She was only 25 weeks along in her pregnancy.
"Literally within ten minutes I was in the surgery room. I barely had time to call Ryan, my dad and his dad," said Jennifer.
Her husband, in Texas with the Air National Guard, knew he had to get home.
"I ran straight down to my First Sergeant, spoke with him, he immediately contacted the Red Cross, made a case," said Ryan.
During emergencies, the Red Cross works to help get service members back to their families. In this case, it verified with CRMC that Jennifer was having the baby and helped get him a flight on American Airlines.
"We were able to get Ryan off the base and onto a plane within two hours of his request," said Ellen Knapp, Red Cross Regional CEO.
While thousands of planer were cancelled because of Sandy, Ryan manager to get a flight back to Fresno. Monday night, 12 hours after the birth, Ryan got to see his wife and meed their two pound, one ounce baby girl names Olivia.
"I was excited, afraid, nervous at the same time. I didn't know what to expect, but I knew she needed me and I really wanted to see how Olivia was doing," said Ryan.
Jennifer says she doesn't know if she could manage all this without him. She thanks everyone involved in bringing him home.
"It was so nice. I actually haven't seen him since August so when I needed him it meant a lot that so many people helped him get here," said Jennifer.
Olivia is doing well for her tiny size. Ryan is scheduled to go back to Texas on Sunday, but he's put in a request to stay for another few months.
