Heres a note that I sent to my team at work yesterday: April is the month of the Military Child. Ive attached a .jpg from a fellow brat that really speaks to what its like to be a military child. The unofficial designator of the military child is a dandelion - why? Because it has shallow roots and can flourish anywhere, its tough to defeat, and is resilient. I know what it means to be a military brat - my Dad was in the AF for 20+ years. I never quite know how to answer the question, where are you from? I often find my answers take many minutes - I catch myself recounting all the locations Ive lived only to say at the end, Im from nowhere - and everywhere. There is a kinship between military children. When you find out someone grew up the same way, you feel more at ease with them because they understand what it was like to pack up and move every 12-24 months (its not as frequent any more, but back in the day...). My kids are also military brats, went to DoDEA schools, moved every few years, and traveled light. They also dont know how to answer the question, where are you from? The undercurrent of being a military child is one of uncertainty. When Mom or Dad leaves for the day/week/TDY/deployment, will they come back? Will I see him/her on CNN? In their own way, they support the mission of the Warfighter. They carry burdens throughout their young lives and often have to grow up way too fast. They often dont live near family, so other military families step in to fill that role. I often think of them as distant cousins. Its not all bad - we get to see places and live in countries that most of our contemporaries only read or hear about. Most 11 year olds dont know what its like to have ekmek and peanut butter standing in front of Karsiyaka bay and wash it down with a fresh lemon while waiting on the school bus. Or roam the beautiful German countryside when the vineyards are bursting with Riesling grapes and discover Roman artifacts buried in the dirt. There are so many experiences that stay with us for the rest of our lives. Many people take the time to thank a Vet. Next time, take a minute to acknowledge the contribution of the military family. Have a wonderful weekend and see you next week.
Posted on: Sat, 05 Apr 2014 10:51:51 +0000
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