Military service shapes entire families, not just those who wear the uniform. I learned that early in life through my stepfather, who served in the Air Force during Vietnam, and later through my own family when I married a disabled medic veteran who also served there. His back injury and PTSD affected all of us, especially our children, who struggled to understand challenges far beyond their years.
As a Blue Star mother, I watched my own son serve in the Army, including deployments to Iraq and South Korea. Today, I am also the proud grandparent of four grandchildren connected to military service—one who has served in the Army and another currently serving in the Navy. Through them, I witnessed firsthand how deployment affects children in ways that are often unseen.
When my grandson Julian was school-aged during his father’s deployment, he struggled deeply in school. His older brother, Alerio, had once been a top student, but the absence of his father shook his confidence and sense of stability. We searched for help, knowing they needed additional support, but resources simply were not there when they needed them most.
Years later, I saw a different outcome with my two younger grandchildren. Because their father was able to remain actively present—traveling together during one assignment and staying closely connected afterward—they thrived academically and socially. The contrast was undeniable. Support and connection make all the difference.
When I discovered SEALKIDS, now Children of Valor, I immediately recognized the kind of support my older grandsons had needed but never received. These programs provide stability, mentorship, and encouragement to military children navigating the unique challenges of service life. Seeing the impact this support can have inspired me to become involved. I began attending fundraising events and now volunteer my time to help ensure other families receive the resources ours once lacked.
After more than 40 years as an educator, I believe education and emotional support are among the greatest gifts we can give a child. Military children serve in their own way through sacrifice and resilience. Children of Valor ensures they are seen, supported, and given every opportunity to succeed—and that is a mission truly worth investing in.
-Christine