A Lesson from the Baker: Taking the time to recognize the American military family Published June 22, 2010 By Lt. Col. David N. Miller, Jr. 2nd Range Operations Squadron VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Last weekend on our way home from church, my family and I stopped by to get some pastries at a local bakery. As I handed the baker the money for the donuts, he took the money with his left hand, and, after noticing the Air Force symbol on my shirt, extended his right hand and earnestly exclaimed, "Thank you so much for your service to our country!" Then he looked over to my wife and children and said, "Thank You too!" In the post-09/11 era, this was not the first time I had heard a similar expression of appreciation for members of the armed forces. Indeed, I would argue it is not 'uncommon' to hear Americans, young and old, from nearly every walk-of-life, publicly demonstrate their pride and appreciation for our uniformed men and women...particularly in our major airports that often serve as waypoints for our military personnel in transit to and from deployment. It was, however, the first time I had taken notice in this particular bakery. What was most striking though was not the occasion of my public recognition as an Airman serving our country. To the contrary, what struck me most about that moment was this was the first time I can recall someone taking the opportunity to publicly thank the military spouse / family members directly. As I walked out of the bakery carrying my son and clutching my coffee I looked at my wife, smiled, and thought how appropriate it was indeed, for all Americans to take the time to acknowledge the sacrifices of the military family. Too often, we take for granted the birthdays, recitals, parent-teacher conferences, and anniversaries where the military family must 'go it alone,' and 'make the best of it' without mom or dad. After all, theirs is a lifetime of service too, is it not?! Over the next few days I did a bit of research and I am sure you will agree that even a cursory review of the latest data characterizing the challenges of the military family will have you wondering why there is not a mandatory national holiday commemorating "The American Military Family" for the sacrifices they make. Why you ask? The rationale is simple...our military families represent the best of us as Americans! They are without question a tough, exceptional group of people who epitomize the notion of "service before self" and it is fitting that we take notice. I ask that you consider the following: The Toughness of the Military Family: Anyone who has attended a retirement ceremony recently can no doubt recognize the mental, spiritual, and physical toughness of the military spouse. Not only do our spouses raise a family through repeated PCS' and frequent deployments, recent studies show more than 50% of Air Force spouses manage all this while working...often for less money than their civilian counterparts. If you find the dedication of the military spouse impressive, I am sure you will agree the resiliency of the military child is no less remarkable. In 2009, the Air Force released data showing 'Air Force children ages 6-18 typically move six-to-nine times during their school years' and with each new school our children face their own unique challenges 'finding classes closed, friendship circles already formed, and extra-curricular spots already filled.' The Military Family is Exceptional: By any statistical measure the military family is exceptional and they deserve the deference and recognition appropriate to their status as a distinguished segment of American society. Many in uniform have heard the statistics that set the military, and their families, apart. Less than one-half of one percent of the US population is currently serving on Active Duty and approximately two million military children since 2001 have experienced a parental deployment in support of overseas contingency operations. Nearly 80 percent of all military children attend public schools and, despite their unique background / circumstances, many continue to find ways to excel in environments where they frequently find themselves an 'outsider' in a new school. In the face of so many challenges, and I have only listed a precious few, the military family continues to endure and, in many cases, thrive. Extended separations and the increased hazards of deployment no doubt compound the stressors on the military family but they continue their support to the defender's of this great nation unbowed and undeterred. Their legacy of service and excellence should serve as a lesson to us all and it is long overdue that we make it a daily habit of thanking the 'American Military Family' for their sacrifices and support. Thus, I encourage all to take a lesson from the baker...seize every opportunity you can to recognize the American Military Family for being the tough and exceptional group of people they are!