Jan Wood stood near the stadium rail at Straughn High School last night, watching teary-eyed as her daughter, Jordan, was crowned homecoming queen.

More than 7,000 miles away, Jordan’s dad watched, too, thanks to the magic of technology.

Barry Wood is deployed with the Navy Seabees in Afghanistan, where he has been for a week, and where he will remain until April. Mrs. Wood said her husband had been in California with the Seabees for three months before going to Afghanistan this past week.

Jordan said this isn’t the first time he dad has been deployed – he also did active duty in 2005. She said she could tell it was difficult for her dad, “but he’s proud of me, too,” she said.

Mrs. Wood said the good news is that her husband will be home in time for graduation.

Jordan was escorted by her uncle, Doyle Lambert.