Little Soldier Girl "Didn't Want to Let Go"

Four-year old Paige didn't want to say goodbye to her daddy before he was shipped off to Iraq

By VINCE LATTANZIO

Updated 12:28 PM EST, Mon, Jan 25, 2010

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Abby Bennethum

A family photo that shows a little girl beside her father and his fellow soldiers in uniform as they prepare to go to war has resonated well beyond the tight knit Bennethum clan.

Four-year-old Paige Bennethum really, really didn't want her daddy to go to Iraq.

So much so, that when Army Reservist Staff Sgt. Brett Bennethum lined up in formation at his deployment this July, she couldn't let go.

No one had the heart to pull her away.

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The commanding officer allowed Paige to say goodbye as her dad prepared to ship off from Fort Dix.

Paige's mom Abby captured the moment with her camera and her aunt passed the image along to a Berks County, Pa. newspaper.

"I’ve had strangers looking me up online, sending me messages that they are touched by it ... offering a lot of support," Abby Bennethum told NBCPhiladelphia.

The picture took on a life of its own online this week. Abby says that suddenly, people were knocking on her door. "Literally overnight, there's all these people that just want to do anything they can," she says. Though she says her husband hasn't seen any stories about his family yet, he expects to.

For her part, Paige still remembers how she felt that day in July. Looking at the picture of herself -- her dad now overseas -- Paige remembers, "I didn't want to let go of him."

She calls the work he does transporting supplies across the Iraqi border, "just nice."

But that doesn't change her feelings.

"I just miss my dad right now," she says.

Sgt. Bennethum, 30, is expected home next July. Until then, Paige plans to help her mom take care of her little sister and a new baby that's on the way.

First Published: Oct 6, 2009 4:30 PM EST

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OLDEST | RECENT

{"totSize":744,"payload_type":"json","status":"1","results":[{"anonName":null,"pathToMedia":"396494_63629627","adminTags":null,"views":51223,"createdBy":9226292,"createdByPathToPhoto":"116995/icons/defaultMember_116995_portrait160X120.jpg","assocMediaId":null,"mediaName":"Little Soldier Girl \"Didn't Want to Let Go\"","parentThreadId":null,"mediaId":2384469,"tags":null,"anonSiteUrl":null,"assocMediaType":null,"createdAt":"7 Oct 2009 16:17:24 GMT","anonEmail":null,"isVisible":true,"approved":true,"numComments":10,"reviewed":true,"createdByUsername":"concerned","pathToPreview":"","mediaType":"EXTERNALMEDIA","commentId":"1023045","subject":"","averageRating":0,"body":"My brother and his unit also deployed from Fort Dix in July. We were not permitted to see them off at the AirBase and were forced to say our good byes at the barracks before they lined up to board the bus to Maguire.<br>Our hearts go out to all who have loved ones that are serving in the armed forces. My God keep them all safe and return them home soon!"},{"anonName":null,"pathToMedia":"396494_63629627","adminTags":null,"views":51223,"createdBy":7918844,"createdByPathToPhoto":"116995/icons/defaultMember_116995_portrait160X120.jpg","assocMediaId":null,"mediaName":"Little Soldier Girl \"Didn't Want to Let Go\"","parentThreadId":null,"mediaId":2384469,"tags":null,"anonSiteUrl":null,"assocMediaType":null,"createdAt":"7 Oct 2009 16:26:51 GMT","anonEmail":null,"isVisible":true,"approved":true,"numComments":10,"reviewed":true,"createdByUsername":"anonymous_user","pathToPreview":"","mediaType":"EXTERNALMEDIA","commentId":"1023124","subject":"","averageRating":0,"body":"I am in tears...my son just joined the army. He will be deployed at anytime. It is so sad that these men have still fight a war that a lot of Americans' do not understand what started this whole thing. The cause of this "war" started many years before the 911 attached. It started during the Ex-President Bush's dad was the Pres. Saddest part, is nobody did anything about it. So now our "kids" have to fight a war the adults would not face responsibility. It rips my heart out...."},{"anonName":null,"pathToMedia":"396494_63629627","adminTags":null,"views":51223,"createdBy":9585490,"createdByPathToPhoto":"116995/icons/defaultMember_116995_portrait160X120.jpg","assocMediaId":null,"mediaName":"Little Soldier Girl \"Didn't Want to Let Go\"","parentThreadId":null,"mediaId":2384469,"tags":null,"anonSiteUrl":null,"assocMediaType":null,"createdAt":"7 Oct 2009 16:39:29 GMT","anonEmail":null,"isVisible":true,"approved":true,"numComments":10,"reviewed":true,"createdByUsername":"tulipwalk23","pathToPreview":"","mediaType":"EXTERNALMEDIA","commentId":"1023208","subject":"","averageRating":0,"body":"I agree w/ you PW Curtins. <br>Some ppl need therapy."},{"anonName":null,"pathToMedia":"396494_63629627","adminTags":null,"views":51223,"createdBy":7918844,"createdByPathToPhoto":"116995/icons/defaultMember_116995_portrait160X120.jpg","assocMediaId":null,"mediaName":"Little Soldier Girl \"Didn't Want to Let Go\"","parentThreadId":null,"mediaId":2384469,"tags":null,"anonSiteUrl":null,"assocMediaType":null,"createdAt":"7 Oct 2009 17:36:07 GMT","anonEmail":null,"isVisible":true,"approved":true,"numComments":10,"reviewed":true,"createdByUsername":"anonymous_user","pathToPreview":"","mediaType":"EXTERNALMEDIA","commentId":"1023794","subject":"","averageRating":0,"body":"I know how this little girl feels I'm currently in waiting for my husband of 4 years to come home from his 1st deployment, and even though we don't have children yet, it was hard to say goodbye again when he came home for r&r for 2 weeks. The airlines was kind enough to give me a pass to go to gate with him. I was in tears the entire time, but it was comforting to know that ppl were supportive."},{"anonName":null,"pathToMedia":"396494_63629627","adminTags":null,"views":51223,"createdBy":13329041,"createdByPathToPhoto":"116995/icons/defaultMember_116995_portrait160X120.jpg","assocMediaId":null,"mediaName":"Little Soldier Girl \"Didn't Want to Let Go\"","parentThreadId":null,"mediaId":2384469,"tags":null,"anonSiteUrl":null,"assocMediaType":null,"createdAt":"7 Oct 2009 17:40:01 GMT","anonEmail":null,"isVisible":true,"approved":true,"numComments":10,"reviewed":true,"createdByUsername":"AbramAlguire","pathToPreview":"","mediaType":"EXTERNALMEDIA","commentId":"1023833","subject":"","averageRating":0,"body":"That is a photograph that will be around for a long time. It's like JFK jr's salute to his father's casket. Epic moment that will speak sentiment beyond this fruitless conflict."},{"anonName":null,"pathToMedia":"396494_63629627","adminTags":null,"views":51223,"createdBy":7918844,"createdByPathToPhoto":"116995/icons/defaultMember_116995_portrait160X120.jpg","assocMediaId":null,"mediaName":"Little Soldier Girl \"Didn't Want to Let Go\"","parentThreadId":null,"mediaId":2384469,"tags":null,"anonSiteUrl":null,"assocMediaType":null,"createdAt":"7 Oct 2009 17:41:45 GMT","anonEmail":null,"isVisible":true,"approved":true,"numComments":10,"reviewed":true,"createdByUsername":"anonymous_user","pathToPreview":"","mediaType":"EXTERNALMEDIA","commentId":"1023845","subject":"","averageRating":0,"body":"that is so sad the poor little girl i feel so bad for her"},{"anonName":null,"pathToMedia":"396494_63629627","adminTags":null,"views":51223,"createdBy":7918844,"createdByPathToPhoto":"116995/icons/defaultMember_116995_portrait160X120.jpg","assocMediaId":null,"mediaName":"Little Soldier Girl \"Didn't Want to Let Go\"","parentThreadId":null,"mediaId":2384469,"tags":null,"anonSiteUrl":null,"assocMediaType":null,"createdAt":"7 Oct 2009 17:43:59 GMT","anonEmail":null,"isVisible":true,"approved":true,"numComments":10,"reviewed":true,"createdByUsername":"anonymous_user","pathToPreview":"","mediaType":"EXTERNALMEDIA","commentId":"1023863","subject":"","averageRating":0,"body":"just breaks my heart. this war really needs to come to an end already. tearing families apart just isn't right."},{"anonName":null,"pathToMedia":"396494_63629627","adminTags":null,"views":51223,"createdBy":13329075,"createdByPathToPhoto":"116995/icons/defaultMember_116995_portrait160X120.jpg","assocMediaId":null,"mediaName":"Little Soldier Girl \"Didn't Want to Let Go\"","parentThreadId":null,"mediaId":2384469,"tags":null,"anonSiteUrl":null,"assocMediaType":null,"createdAt":"7 Oct 2009 17:44:42 GMT","anonEmail":null,"isVisible":true,"approved":true,"numComments":10,"reviewed":true,"createdByUsername":"fb_100000368134856","pathToPreview":"","mediaType":"EXTERNALMEDIA","commentId":"1023871","subject":"","averageRating":0,"body":"I have to say i have a lot of family and friends in the service and i pray for them everyday and this photo really hits home. I have three children and am currently in the process of joining the airforce and i could see my kids doing the same thing. This story is touching and god bless their family and may someday that family look back at that photo and remeber and laugh about it. I pray for an end but in reality there is never an end just another begining. God blees all and keep love in your hearts, there is still hope for the human race."},{"anonName":null,"pathToMedia":"396494_63629627","adminTags":null,"views":51223,"createdBy":13329167,"createdByPathToPhoto":"116995/icons/defaultMember_116995_portrait160X120.jpg","assocMediaId":null,"mediaName":"Little Soldier Girl \"Didn't Want to Let Go\"","parentThreadId":null,"mediaId":2384469,"tags":null,"anonSiteUrl":null,"assocMediaType":null,"createdAt":"7 Oct 2009 17:45:11 GMT","anonEmail":null,"isVisible":true,"approved":true,"numComments":10,"reviewed":true,"createdByUsername":"motherofgirls","pathToPreview":"","mediaType":"EXTERNALMEDIA","commentId":"1023877","subject":"","averageRating":0,"body":"WOW, touching.... I hope the war is over soon. My brother is in the Air force, and I thank God he has not been to Iraq. God bless our troops, I wish them all home safe! THANK YOU ALL FOR WHAT YOU DO FOR AMERICA!"},{"anonName":null,"pathToMedia":"396494_63629627","adminTags":null,"views":51223,"createdBy":13329169,"createdByPathToPhoto":"116995/icons/defaultMember_116995_portrait160X120.jpg","assocMediaId":null,"mediaName":"Little Soldier Girl \"Didn't Want to Let Go\"","parentThreadId":null,"mediaId":2384469,"tags":null,"anonSiteUrl":null,"assocMediaType":null,"createdAt":"7 Oct 2009 17:45:18 GMT","anonEmail":null,"isVisible":true,"approved":true,"numComments":10,"reviewed":true,"createdByUsername":"magicalshrimp23","pathToPreview":"","mediaType":"EXTERNALMEDIA","commentId":"1023878","subject":"","averageRating":0,"body":"PWCurtins, they probably voted that so as to elicit enraged responses from people who aren't used to trolling or desensitized sadism on the internet.<br><br>I personally, am going to vote Thrilled, because I am glad that a picture such as this was taken, for perhaps it can enlighten people to the grim realities of this war. Now if only we could get some photographers into the Middle East who had half the balls of the Vietnam photographers, we'd really be able to start to get an idea for the cruelties this war has wrought on us."}],"error":"","totPages":75}

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