While working in Army Reserve public affairs, I often photographed military kids at different events. I’d type up photo captions, write articles, and go about by my duties, but I never really just took a moment to think, really think about what military kids experience. The unfortunate truth of the military is that you often have to put the mission before your family. It almost seems inherently wrong, but someone has to do it. Whether you agree with the current war, whether you agree with how budgets are spent, consider this: someone has to be ready to defend our country, to protect our people when threatened and attacked. In turn, the children of these men and women sacrifice a great deal. As a military wife, this now means more to me than in the past. My husband is gone this week, and it’s just for a few days, but I can already see my son missing him. I know that one day, not too far away, J is going to be gone for a very long time, and Baby J won’t be a baby anymore.
Since 1986, April has been known as the “Month of the Military Child.” Every year this month, the branches of the military and different organizations hold events and celebrations to honor military kids and their families. If you known a military child, I challenge you to reach out to him or her. Let the family know that you recognize their sacrifices, and that as a community, you are ready to stand by them in support.
