Michael J. Burns Military Children Scholarship

Every military child knows it's not easy growing up with parents in the military because they often divorce, deploy overseas, pass away sooner than you wanted, and suffer from long-term issues such as PTSD. When I was a child my mom was still in the military and I had to stay with my grandparents for several months when she came back to get me I didn't know her and would scream and cry like she was a stranger. That experience must have really hurt her and sometimes I wish that never happened because no parent would want their child to not know them. She eventually got out of the military for that reason because she felt like my siblings and I needed her. I appreciate that she did that but I know she wishes she could have retired from the air force to prove her strength. The military has some negative long-term effects, which affected my parents. My mom wasn't as affected as my dad but she suffers from PTSD and hearing loss. She has partial hearing loss from escorting planes to their stations. She must have seen some terrible things because she often gets flashbacks which stress her out. My dad on the other hand was affected more because he stayed in the military until he retired. He suffered a broken arm because he was an engineer on tanks and one of the tires exploded causing his arm to break and his back to have permanent damage. He now has metal rods in his back and is in pain all of the time, sometimes I wish I could trade spots with him so he's not in so much pain. My dad also suffered hearing loss and most likely PTSD. My mom and dad who were both in the air force separated when I was born and co-parenting was hard because they both would have to relocate often because of the military life. At one point, my mom and I were in New Jersey and my dad and siblings were in Wyoming. I never got close to my dad for that reason. I sometimes wish things could be different because I feel like I could have lived a simpler lifestyle but my life wouldn't be what it is now without the military. As of now, my dad is retired and living in Florida with his family and my mom has found a career that suits her better and is successful. I was always jealous of those military parents going back to their families after being overseas for months. I say this because my dad who had my two siblings with his wife now would go back to them and I see them hug him and cry, I do wish I could have been there too but it was all the way in Wyoming. I always wanted that close bond with my parents but due to the military, they were desensitized to love for me so I practically blocked out my feelings of love and sensitivity for them. I'm not saying them being in the military was a negative thing but if they knew how to give the proper love that I and my sibling needed, our lives would be more simple. In conclusion, I wouldn't have wanted it any different, I am proud of my mom and dad for committing to the military and surviving, those families that are less fortunate than me, I mourn for. Although they suffereed long-term conditions, they were still able to provide the life I needed.