Military Families Recognized for Service During November

By Jamie Kaun

Active duty military members are not the only ones who make sacrifices to serve our country – their spouses, children and even extended family do as well. While there are several holidays to recognize veterans, the Armed Services YMCA established the first Military Family Month in 1996, and the president has signed a proclamation in November every year since, to honor the important role service members’ families provide to the military.

As a military family, I know firsthand the sacrifices made by a service member’s spouse and children. My husband has been active duty in the Air Force for more than 18 years. We have been married for 11 years and during that time, we have lived in four states and moved eight times, including one move only 10 days after I gave birth to our second child following a difficult delivery. Several years into our marriage, I put a career I loved on hold to have more flexibility to support our military life. We have had to establish a new “tribe” of friends every 2-3 years. We miss many important events as a family because Daddy works 14+ hour days or is away for work. We have immediate family members (in-laws, cousins, etc.) that we don’t know well because we’re unable to really spend time with them…and so much more.

Many military families make even greater sacrifices – missing the birth of children, not being able to spend time with ill loved ones or attend funerals and the ultimate sacrifice of losing a service member.

I asked my three children what their favorite and least favorite part of being in a military family is. My 9-year-old son quickly said, “Making all new friends because I can have fun with different people.” But then he frowned a bit and said, “I don’t like leaving them though and my home.” He also noted that “it’s cool to see different things in different areas” and that he’s “proud of the work my daddy does for our country.” My 7-year-old daughter hesitated. She’s much shyer than her extrovert brother who makes it a priority to meet new people. “I don’t like it when I get home from school and I don’t get to see Daddy.” The 4-year-old, of course, hasn’t experienced quite as much change (not that she can remember) as the older children. She’s pretty excited that in our current duty station, we live closer to family than we ever have so she gets to see them regularly.

Regardless of your political views, many can agree that military families experience life unlike most civilians and can appreciate their sacrifices and resiliency. There are numerous events and special recognition offered to military families in November in addition to year-round programs, like the YMCA/DOD’s outreach initiative that provides access to fitness centers and respite child care services.

Any military family knows – your life and many important decisions that can affect it for years may not be a choice or something you can control. And while that can provide challenges, there are many life experiences and “lessons” that you gain by being a military family that you may not be fortunate to have otherwise.

Despite the many challenges we’ve experienced, I’m appreciative for what my military family has endured and I’m so thankful to all military families, past and present, for their contributions to our country.