'My Military Family'

  • Published
  • By the 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  In honor of the Month of the Military Family, the Airman and Family Readiness Center here held an art and essay contest titled, "My Military Family," for Team Holloman children to partake. The winners from each category were announced during the awards presentation at the A&FRC, Nov. 19.

 More than 150 essays were submitted from 7 to 12 year olds and more than 50 pieces of artwork from those 12 years old and under.
 
Amelia Bengston, 5, and Dakoda Cobb, 7, both won first place in their respective age categories with artwork depicting their military family.

The following are the two first place essays. Joshua Lee Thomas, 13, and Hunter Broesche, 12, both from Holloman Middle School, explain how they feel about being in a military family. The essays are printed exactly as they were submitted.


"My Military Family"
By Joshua Thomas
Age: 13

My military family is composed of only 3 people. 2 are active duty, and the other is army and also retired. My father, Mark Thomas is currently in his 17th year of the Air Force, and says he is not going to continue after his 20 year retirement point. My grandfather, David Thomas, was in the United States army, and served as a colonel in the Vietnam war. My Cousin, Adam Peterson, is currently a E-3 in the Air Force, and is serving in Iraq.

Many might ask themselves, "Is it difficult dealing with a military family?" and I would have to say that it is exponentially difficult to deal with the fear of not knowing when your dad may be leaving for 6,8, and even 12 months at a time, and at a moment's notice with no warning whatsoever. Though you have to deal with constant deployments and moving, being a military child has it's advantages. You have the security of walking around a stable environment, you have a mini Wal-Mart shopping place, and you even have food that doesn't even exist in the town next to you. But, a frequently asked question among children and teens with a military parent, "Is it really worth it?" I like to think so. I mean, apart from the constant TDY's and moving every 4 or 5 years, there's the great benefits of being praised off base, and being safe, because your in a secure area. The base your on also offers many opportunities like summer hire, a bowling alley, or even a skate park! Though I live off base, I would like to live on base, because there's just so many activities, both recreational and non-recreational, available to you.

I never asked to become a military child, but I am definitely not complaining. I get to travel all around the world. I've been to 8 hard rock cafes, and that's just in Europe! And the military has a stability of it's money, so the recession means nothing to most military families. I wouldn't trade this great life over a boring regular life any day. So in conclusion, I am stating that the military is the best things I could ask for.


My Military Family
By Hunter Broesche
Age: 12

I was born into my military family over 12 years ago and at that time my father was stationed at Kirtland AFB, NM. My father is now a MSGT in the United States Air Force and has been serving since 1991. My mother is a nurse and works at the Pediatric Clinic on Holloman Air Force Base. I have an older brother who was born in Okinawa, Japan when my dad was assigned to Kadena AFB. It is not always easy to live the life of a military child because some of my best friends move away and leave me to find new friends. Sometimes my father has to be gone for long periods of time, like the time he went to Kunsan, Korea for a year and I had just entered kindergarten. It was a sad year because we missed him but we knew it was better for the nation that he was there instead of at home.

There are some positive things to being a child in a military family. One thing that comes to mind is being able to meet people from all over the world. Another is hearing the Star Spangled Banner played at 4:30 pm and be able to know its' true meaning as I hold my hand across my heart, this makes me proud to be a part of my military family. My father being in the military is the reason I am able to attend Holloman Middle School and I'm glad to be a part of it. My military family includes my close friends and we are there for each other as a family should be. I enjoy the time my father has been in the Air Force because of the opportunities to visit other places and meet extraordinary people.

My military family is very special. My father is very dedicated to his service and supports our nation in every way he can. In turn we support him and together we are a stronger family for it. We are closer than some families because we go through a special kind of stress. This stress may cause weakness in some people but in our family it provides us with more strength. I would not trade the life I have in my military family for anything and know it has made me a better person for being a part of it.