Giant photos comfort military families

Published 10:49 pm Monday, December 1, 2008

Imagine a child’s delight when they receive “flat people” that look just like their deployed mommy or daddy.

Called a Flat Daddy and Flat Mommy, they are life-size, waist and up photos that can be used as a stand-alone or mounted image.

Heather Lytle’s husband, Danniel Lytle Sr., serves on the USS Rodney M. Davis, a ship stationed at Naval Station Everett. The family lives in Poulsbo.

The ship is at sea. When it’s in port, Danniel Lytle Sr. often sleeps aboard to save on the cost of commuting.

Heather Lytle heard about the Flat Daddy pictures from the ship’s ombudsman. She requested a Flat Daddy from the Snohomish County Chapter of the American Red Cross in Everett.

The family includes daughter, Christie, 14, and sons Danniel Jr., 7, and Dayton, who will turn 1 on Dec. 23.

“I wanted to get a Flat Daddy because Danniel has Asperger’s Syndrome and has a very hard time understanding time, dates or why his dad is gone in the first place,” Heather Lytle said. “He asks every day when six months is going to be over and why we can’t just go get Daddy and bring him home.”

Bev Walker, director of the Snohomish County Chapter’s Service to the Armed Forces Office, received a grant for the photo vouchers valued at $49.95 each.

A limited number of Flat Daddy and Flat Mommy picture requests are available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call Walker between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays at 425-304-4476, or e-mail WalkerB@­snohomishcounty.redcross.org.

“Experts believe the cutouts are a useful psychological device, especially for children, to help cope with the stress of long absences,” said Walker. “It helps the family stay connected and is a constant reminder that even though mom or dad might be thousands of miles away, they are still a part of their lives.”

Photo orders must be placed by Dec. 10 to be returned by Dec. 25.

Danniel Lytle Jr. will receive his picture for Christmas.

“I thought having a Flat Daddy would be great for times when he is lonely or missing his dad,” his mother said. “My daughter, being 14, will just think it is hilarious. I would not be at all surprised to find him ‘decorated’ by her at some point.”

Dayton Lytle, who was only 9 months old when his daddy left, may find the Flat Daddy helps him remember who Daddy is, Heather Lytle said, and help him recognize him when he finally gets home.

How to get a life-size photo

A limited number of Flat Daddy and Flat Mommy picture requests are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information, call Bev Walker, director of the Snohomish County Chapter’s Service to the Armed Forces Office, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays at 425-304-4476, or e-mail WalkerB@snohomishcounty.redcross.org.

Military families in Snohomish County, or those with a military member assigned to a ship or unit in Snohomish County, may request a voucher for a free Flat Daddy or Flat Mommy from the Snohomish County Red Cross chapter. They will receive instructions on how and where to send it and a photo.

Submitted photos can be a full-body view, but waist and up is preferable. If more than one person is in the photo, others will be cropped out. It is preferred that the picture show the parent in uniform.

Photo orders must be placed by Dec. 10 to be returned by Dec. 25.