Military Child and Military Family Appreciation Should Be a Way of Life

  • Published
  • By Colonel Anne Gunter
  • 944th Mission Support Group Commander
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, ARIZ. --  Next month we celebrate the military child throughout DoD. Life continues to happen for our children who depend on us and support us while we fulfill our AF Reserve responsibilities. My daughter will have her 15th birthday next month and I will be 1,500 miles away. Fifteen years earlier, her birth was rescheduled to accommodate her father's deployment (like a rescheduled UTA -almost). She will spend her 15th birthday in her eighth different home already knowing that home number nine is likely before summer's end. My son has known even more homes in his short 19 years. I love my kids very much and appreciate their sacrifices and hope they understand what I do, why I do it and how hard I try to be home to spend as much time as possible with them and, just like you, I try to make those important first performances and championship games.

I also love what I do in the military! I constantly strive for balance between my love of family and love of military service and making the best of the experiences that both have to offer. I am truly thankful for my children's sacrifice and know there is more to it than they tell me. I know I couldn't serve without their support. Unless we have been a military spouse, child, or parent we really don't understand what our families go through while we're away on our military duty. They appreciate what we do for our nation, but let's be sure to let them know we appreciate their service to their country as the key to the success of the mission. A single month to appreciate our children or family just scratches the surface for the tribute that we really owe them. Let's make this a military child and military family appreciation LIFE and consistently honor our loved ones for all they do supporting us every day.

So on behalf of all of us in the AF reserve to our families - every day of every month ---we love you, we cherish you, and we thank you for everything you do for us.....for your understanding as we continue to support our nation through our service....for always being there with that hug, kiss, and those words of encouragement.