Photo By Sgt. Alex Fairchild | U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Timothy Maciejewski, the staff noncommissioned officer...... read more read more
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CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan -- “I want to be just like my mom and dad someday. They are my superheroes.”
April is recognized as Month of the Military Child, a time to recognize and thank children of service members for their sacrifices.
Every military-connected youth has their own story, experience and unique obstacles they have made, no matter their age.
David Maciejewski, the 13-year-old son of Gunnery Sgt. Timothy Maciejewski, staff noncommissioned officer in charge of Provost Marshal’s Office, Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, gives his perspective on how he and his family cope with deployments and extended periods of time without their father.
“My favorite things to do with my dad are fishing, camping, video games and going out to eat,” said David. “However, my dad is always on call, which means he sometimes has to leave.”
When David was younger and living in the U.S., his father received two-year unaccompanied orders to Okinawa.
“It was really hard time without dad for two years, but in a way, it made our family stronger,” said David. “Mom was pretty much a single mother for that entire time, but we made the most of it. I remember the day he came home very vividly, we surprised him by running straight up to him.”
David explained although there are hard times, he is thankful for his father being in the military. He said that he enjoys adventuring and the travel that comes with his father’s profession.
“Even though my dad can’t always be here in person, he loves me and is always there for me,” said David. “He does everything a loving dad does, except he’s in the military.”
Nicky White, the 5-year-old son of Staff Sgt. Felicia White, the custodian of postal effects at the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma Post Office, and Nicholas White, a Marine Corps veteran and Semper Fit complex manager, has never known a life outside the military.
“Mom and dad have to be gone a lot for work, but I know they love me,” said Nicky. “We like to watch movies and play outside a lot.”
Aliyana Quezada, the 12-year-old daughter of Staff Sgt. Victor Quezada, the aviation supply and preventative maintenance inspection supply staff noncommissioned officer in charge with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, shares her experience with the challenges of deployments and moving.
“My dad has been in the Marine Corps my whole life,” said Aliyana. “One of the hardest things was the times he was deployed. I knew he would come home safe, but it was still hard for our family.”
Aliyana explained that at the times of her father’s deployments, she was 2 years -old and 9 years- old. She said that during the second deployment, her family stuck together and stayed supportive of one another to deal with the difficult time.
“My whole life I’ve had to move around a lot, which is hard for me,” said Aliyana. “But my family is the type of family to stick together and be there for each other, no matter where we move or what happens to us.”
Although each military child may have different experiences and places they will travel to with their family, one thing remains consistent: their family is always there for each other.
| Date Taken: | 04.12.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 04.17.2022 19:41 |
| Story ID: | 418564 |
| Location: | CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 380 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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