I still feel the saddening goodbyes, the warmth from the heartfelt stories, the stains from streaming tears, the happiness from a welcoming home, the smile of a proud daughter.
Thousands of others, including myself, are dependents of military fathers. Every family has a unique way of living their life, but those born to military fathers and/or mothers understand from the start what it's truly like to live the military life.
It isn't unusual for most families to move every two to three years, not just house to house but from state to state. As an Air Force dependent, I have moved with my family 12 times. Thank goodness I have four sisters and three brothers to keep me company during the long drives or even while the movers packed our home.
Every move has brought my family closer, through hardships woven into fellowship. I, along with all the other daughters and sons of those who serve in the U.S. military, know what it's like to be protected yet surrounded by patrolled gates of a base where we live, as if living in our own city. We all are thankful for those who protect us, whether at the gates or on the battlefield.
We also acknowledge and welcome those leaving from and coming into the base. We realize the hurt of watching our dad head overseas to fight for our freedom, and to see our mom teary-eyed as she comforts her children. We sense the sadness when he's not here to see his newborn baby, or when she gets orders to move her family out of the country. These acts are all forms of patriotism.
Many families have endured these separations, a hardship that many outside the military are immune to. My mom was not only pregnant while my dad served in Iraq but moved us seven children to Utah from Kansas. My dad returned one month before my brother was born.
Each military brat understands routine and structure, obedience and manners. We cherish the time between one TDY (temporary duty) and the next that our parent is assigned. As we support the surrounding families and the military itself, the military supports and respect us -- the teens -- by making available to us jobs, sports, game nights at the youth center, and family events. At Hill Air Force Base most agree that the gym, pool, library and splash pad are welcomed leisures at no cost. We thank those who support us but most of all those who support our parents, the ones giving their lives for our freedom.
Still, many will never fully comprehend the life military children experience as we venture with our parents to new places. Despite the negatives of moving so frequently, I believe it can also bring a family closer together and give a new perspective of our amazing country and how different each state can look or feel. Moving can challenge your personality. My public speaking ability is stronger due to all the transfers to new schools and making new friends.
Military brats are commonly asked if the friends we make are acquaintances or long-lasting. Many of the friends I made in second or third grade I still have. When I moved to California I made a best friend, and then did the same in Kansas, our next home. Both those girls moved to Germany when I moved to Utah -- and met each other in their second class period of school! It's a small world after all.
Although my father retired from the Air Force in 2009, I feel a strong part of me still belongs to our military. Growing up with this background gives me and others a more heartfelt perspective for those serving anywhere around the world. But no matter who you are, all Americans should display a form of patriotism to all members of our military. After all, it's our America -- the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Morgan Briesmaster is a junior at Northridge High School. She contributes columns as a TX correspondent for the Standard-Examiner. Her article was originally published on March 28.
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