During my childhood I gave up my dad on times I needed him the most it seemed, for people who in turn needed him more. I vividly remember many birthdays, Christmas’, Thanksgivings, and other holidays where my father was not physically there. Our family became accustomed to my father being represented by a phone and us being connected that way while he was across the world doing his job. I learned to become selfless and put others needs before my own, just like my father did his. The military views selflessness as “Putting the welfare of the Nation, the Army and your subordinates before your own” which is a clear example of what I was brought up …show more content…
I grew up without my father, no family nearby, and continuous moving occurring whether it be I, or friends I had grown to know. With my father serving in the military for over 25 years, there was more separation in our family then there was of times being together. From the years of 1999 to 2011 my father was gone approximately two hundred days out of every year, never being home more than two weeks at a time. With that being said, the times we did have together were the most memorable and cherished times anyone could have. Living apart for months on end only brought us closer for the times we were together. There are many parts of my childhood I do not remember, but the parts I do involve my family as a whole, either traveling or just being together. During deployments it was mainly my mother and I, and when my sister was born it became us three patiently waiting for my fathers safe arrival home. Although those times were tremendously hard, especially with no immediate family around, we grew to love our military family of nearby individuals were experiencing the same as us. With being in a military town you are surrounded by people who have some sort of clue of what you are going through, and it becomes sort of a safe haven. You all begin to look out for each other and love each other just as immediate family would. You also realize some