Editor’s Note: April is the Month Of The Military Child and upon reaching Iraq, Ben met with CPT Heather Guck, TF Marne PAO- Plans, USD-N who has sent us a series of op-ed pieces related to the special nature of military children. We are happy to reprint these articles to help everyone understand the soldier’s story a little better. Enjoy.
Military Kids are Awesome
Since April is the Month of the Military Child I would like to highlight the wonderful attributes of military kids and the unique dynamics of being a child of a U.S. Soldier. With the following example I hope to convey the importance of military kids on our national psyche and the value of recognizing these great ‘Warriors’ of our nation.
Whereas my wife and I grew up in the small town of Weatherford, Texas, having the same friends and attending the same church throughout our adolescence, my two boys have lived in towns named Columbia, San Antonio, Fayetteville, and Fort Meade. This dynamic is a blessing…and a challenge. On one hand, there are the blessings of new experiences and friendships; on the other hand, there are the challenges of saying goodbye to recently acquired friends and packing up yet again for a new base and school. On one hand they have experienced the continuity of the Church universal and the loving Spirit of fellow Christians from ‘sea to shining sea’; on the other hand though they have experienced the challenges of living and going to school with others who believe and act much differently than they do.
‘Army Brats’ to the core, they have mastered the challenges and dynamics of the military culture and lifestyle. For example, since coming on active duty eleven years ago, they have moved to eight different military bases throughout the United States and each time my children have made new friends, continued to excel at their respective new schools and supported each other by being each other’s best friend. They have acquired a maturity and resolve not often found in others their age. Yet at the same time, they don’t have the advantages of a trusted friend built up over years nor the physical presence of their loving extended family of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. So we come home to Texas as much as we can!
Thus, “Why Should Communities all Across America Recognize the Month of the Military Child?” Because as military personnel deploy in harm’s way protecting the freedoms of Americans, they leave behind their families, to include their children. My two boys have endured three twelve-month deployments where they didn’t have their Daddy to play with, to talk to face-to-face, or even be ‘yelled at’ (smile) .The military child didn’t choose the life of sacrifice, service or change; but they do choose how they will react and thrive in that dynamic. That is one of the many reasons why military kids are special.
What hurdles have my kids faced since I came on active duty? I’ve been deployed 30% of my 10-year old son’s life. That is a long time to be without a daddy. In addition, my children, like many other military kids, have to live with the possibility that daddy might get killed while at war. Hurdles and challenges like these make military kids super special.
So the next time you meet a military kid tell them, “Thank you!” and express your gratitude and appreciation for the life they lead in order for their parents to serve our nation.
Major Bill Killough is the Deputy United States Division- North Chaplain for the 3rd Infantry Division, currently deployed in northern Iraq. Chaplain Killough and his wife, Holly, grew up in Weatherford, Texas and currently reside at Fort Stewart, Georgia with their two boys, Thomas and John. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.
