Military Family
I have watched as my oldest niece has grown right in front of my eyes over the years! She went from crying in a crib to a senior in high school graduating this year. She has made me mad a lot. Yes, I’ve ran off boys and kept her safe. I have watched her support our military and support me overseas and at home. She is the granddaughter of an Air Force ATC. She has watched her grandfather pass in the last year and her uncle come home wounded and hurt. Yet she still stayed strong and true to who she is. She loves our military and the veterans and service members of all branches. She is my niece Kimberly Howard!
My Experience Being a Military Niece
Being a military niece can be difficult because you don’t know what to expect. I have had times where I remember crying on New Year’s Eve because my uncle was overseas. I knew he was doing the right thing, doing something he loved to do and that he was risking his life so someone else can have theirs. I remember all the times that he was injured like they happened yesterday. I can say he is probably the strictest uncle and family member I have. I know I can count on him if I ever have an issue. It always worries me when he goes overseas that I am not going to have that strict uncle anymore. I know that there is always a chance that something could happen, so I try not to let it get to me unless something does happen. I remember when we welcomed him home one year, we made a bunch of food and welcome home signs. Then the best thing overall was when he got out of the car and we all yelled, “welcome home.” He had the biggest smile I have ever seen on anyone’s face. I am glad to say that I am a military niece. I personally think it is amazing for me to have an uncle in the military because I know he is doing something that most of us cannot do. For those reasons, I am happy to be in a military family.
Sincerely,
Kimberly Y. Howard
- What’s Missing in Today’s Military: Integrity - March 20, 2018
- What’s Missing in Today’s Military: Honor - March 19, 2018
- Veterans without Care: What’s Wrong with the VA? - December 18, 2017
