1. Story by Hailey Taylor and Anissa Andrews

2. My dad is Lieutenant John Taylor.

3. Super heroes wear costumes, but my dad wears army fatigues.

4. He may not wear a cape, but my dad can still fly!

5. Batman may drive the bat-mobile, but my dad gets to ride in cool armored cars.

6. Super heroes live in secret lairs, but my dad lives in army barracks!

7. Just like a super hero, my dad has cool weapons!

8. Like superheroes, my dad has to travel to far away places.

9. He travels and sees places that are very different from home.

10. Now, he is in Afghanistan. Here is Afghanistan. Here is Alabama, where I live.

11. Saying goodbye was really sad. I didn’t want him to go!

12. While he is away, we get to talk to each other using video chat!

13. Dad even got to watch us open our Christmas presents! There he is!

14. When he came home to visit for two weeks, I was so happy!

15. He surprised me when I got off the bus!

16. He visited my school and showed my class where Afghanistan is on the map!

17. I am proud of my dad! He is an American soldier, and he is my hero!

18. Glossary Armored: covered with metal for protection Barracks: a building or group of buildings in which soldiers live Fatigues: the uniform worn by members of the armed forces for physical labor (different uniforms are worn for special occasions.) Lair: a secluded or hidden place, especially a secret base of operations; a hideout Vehicle: something used to transport persons or goods; a car

19. Credits Photographs and video by Lieutenant John Taylor and Amanda Taylor – Used with permission Narration by Hailey Taylor Story by Anissa Andrews