Watsonville soldier flies home from Afghanistan for daughter's birth

By Michael Torrice

WATSONVILLE -- After flying more than 7,000 miles from Afghanistan to San Francisco, Army Sgt. Robert Larsen Jr. of Watsonville witnessed the birth of his daughter Sunday.

The arrival of Irma Rose Larsen capped a frantic week of travel for her father.

Larsen received a message to return home Wednesday, flew out of Afghanistan on Friday and landed in San Francisco on Saturday.

"It was all very hectic," he said. "But we're all so happy. I'm on cloud nine, it all just hit me Monday."

Larsen has been stationed in Afghanistan since July. He returned home in late January when his wife, Alejandra Larsen of Watsonville, was originally due to give birth. After her doctors pushed back the due date, he flew back to Afghanistan on Feb. 8.

As he was traveling, his wife developed anemia and doctors decided to induce labor on Feb. 23.

Larsen's wife then contacted the American Red Cross to send a message to Larsen in Afghanistan. The organization communicated with the Army chain of command to tell the soldier about his wife's status.

An hour before he was scheduled to fly back to his outpost, Larsen finally received the message.

"I was waiting in line and they told me I was flying to Kuwait," he said. "I was just fortunate to get the message in time."

Larsen said his commanders were all supportive of him leaving to be with his wife.

Before her scheduled delivery date, Larsen's wife went into labor Sunday, which was also the birthday of his father, Robert Larsen Sr.

"What a perfect birthday gift for her grandfather," said Yolanda Larsen, the soldier's mother. "I'm so glad the whole family could be together."

Larsen will return to Afghanistan this weekend and will finish his tour at the end of the year. He was previously stationed in Iraq in 2003.