Fabulous Army Life

We made our second trip to Gaithersburg, Maryland to celebrate Father's Day this year.  The Texas State Society hosts a super-fun event each year on Father's Day weekend and we had a wonderful time.  We were able to spend the day with Robert and Elizabeth (along with Peter and Georgia) and Chad and Jennifer (with Callie, Colton, and Lexie).  It was such a treat to get to spend this time with them and enjoy our Texas friends! Mini golf fun for the boys. Trey loves a zip line! Joshua chills on the zip line. Joshua and Colton ready for another run. Trey and Peter climb the rock wall. Georgia the Cute Cat Cobbler and BLUE BELL ice cream!! Battle buddies catch up.

How can you describe the perfect dad? You'd have to start with the man before he was a dad, before he was a husband, even back to when he was a kid himself.  What kind of child would he have been?  He would have been smart, adventurous, and fun, getting into all the messy trouble that young boys do.  He would love sports and the outdoors.  He would grow up with skinned knees, traveling by bicycle, and loving a game of backyard ball.  He would be a good student, a happy son, and a fun kid to be around.  He would have parents who loved him and brought him up to be independent, confident, and wise. The perfect dad would grow up from a charming child into a terrific teenager ... popular, smart, and handsome.  He would have been a great date in high school and have had a long line of admirers.  He would be a school athlete and a great student.  He would study hard, set goals then achieve them, and be active in a variety of activities.  H...

I was waiting on a flight at Dallas/Fort Worth airport several years ago and remember seeing a young Soldier get off the plane at my gate. He stepped into the waiting area, looked around anxiously, and then ran toward a young woman holding an infant. As they embraced and she lifted the baby to hand him to the Soldier, I realized that this young man was seeing his baby, his son, for the very first time. I know this scene is played out across our Army all the time, but it brought tears to my eyes to watch their reunion. This young Family stays with me as a reminder of what our Soldiers give up in the cause of freedom. As Father’s Day came and went this year and we celebrated the dad in our Family, I couldn't help but think about all the Army dads out there who do such an amazing job of balancing family and work. Having watched my husband of 15+ years, the past 9+ of those as a dad, I have seen how difficult it can be to be a great Soldier and a great Dad. It takes constant pract...