UPDATE: 3/6/2009
David Eye is on U.S. soil and is just hours away from arriving home!!

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UPDATE:
Sara, David's wife just informed News Channel Seven's Nicole Morten that David Eye is set to be home in a few weeks!

Despite his flight delay, Sara and the family are in good spirits, she says it is well worth the wait as David should be home indefinitely!

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David Eye is a Panama City local, and a U.S. Navy Seaman who happens to be a hero.

David has dedicated 17 years of his life to the U.S. Navy. He is a 1st Class Petty Officer, currently stationed at Camp Al Asad, Iraq. Although David is currently enlisted in the Reserves, he has been called for duty to Iraq twice in two years.

David and his wife Sara have been married for nearly two decades.

Together, they share three children: 18-year-old Kayla, 14-year-old Charlotte, 12-year-old Chandler; both have also adopted their 3-year-old niece, Rosa.

“David is a very family oriented man and for him to dedicate himself and his life to his military career means a lot, even when faced with leaving his family for months…sometimes years at a time,” said Sara.

While Sara describes her husband as, passionate, dedicated, honorable, kindhearted, and professional; the kids call their dad a true hero.

“My Dad is a hero because he gave his family and friends up to go over seas to serve his country that he loves,” said daddy’s youngest, Chandler.

Sara says she admires David’s passion for his family, his country and his career.

“Like every soldier deployed, David misses birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, births,” said Sara. “Being a father of four beautiful daughters there is a lot of firsts he has only been able to experience, by telling him over the phone or email.”

David’s tenure in the U.S. Navy has allowed him to sail the world.

He's experienced more than a handful of major deployments in his time. In 1991 the call of duty required David to serve in Desert Storm. In 2006, he was deployed to Kuwait, since then, he’s made three, six-month cruises out to sea which took him and his men to Europe.

He recently was awarded his third Navy and Marine Achievement Medal. The medal is awarded to only those whose professional and/or leadership achievements are clearly of a superlative nature.

The month of March couldn’t come quicker. He is set to sail home to his family and friends in March when his mission in Iraq is complete.

Four years from now, David will be a retired U.S. Navy Seaman.

From overseas, across the nation, and back home, David Eye, this has been a special Holler at a Hometown Hero from your family.

Click Here if you would like to nominate a soldier who has served, or is currently serving our country.