Military Dads – heroes in uniform

  • Published
  • By Sarina Houston
  • 3rd Flying Training Squadron key spouse
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  In the media, Father's Day consists of coffee mugs, ties, barbeques and baseball. In military families, Father's Day has a more special meaning.

I don't necessarily have the credentials to know, but I assume that military fatherhood can be challenging.

It can't be easy to come home late at night after a 12-hour day and feel left out because you missed the chaos of after-school homework, dinner with the family and your son's tee-ball game.

And it can't be easy to be a deployed father, counting the minutes until you see your newborn again, wondering how much bigger she'll be or if she'll warm up to you quickly when you return.

You make a lot of sacrifices to serve this country and provide for your family. It might seem sometimes like you're just another rat in the race, but your sacrifice isn't in vain. Providing for your family is important, and you're doing much more than that.

You're a role model for your children. You are their hero in uniform. You're a teacher and coach, mentor and motivator. They look up to you and they know you'll be proud of them.

Chances are good that you've spent your time at home teaching your child to write her name, throw a ball or drive a car. Maybe you read bedtime stories when you're home, write letters when you're away or give pep talks after a rough sports game or a teenage break-up.

You're preparing your children for life. It's a tough road sometimes, but when your kids watch how you react to life's good fortunes, challenges and disasters, they learn to deal with their own bumps in the road.

This Father's Day, I hope our military dads know how important they are in the lives of their children. Whether fathering biological children, step-children, adopted kids or acting as a father-figure to a kid that needs one, the father's role in the life of his child is of great significance.

Sarina is the Key Spouse for the 3rd Flying Training Squadron and is married to Capt. Jacob Houston in the 3rd FTS at Vance AFB.