As Captain Audrey Quinby returns home after serving in the military, laughter and happy tears fill the air, creating a special moment for sophomore Adeline Quinby and her family. This homecoming is not just a reunion, but a celebration of strong-bonds that tie military families together.
Military Family Appreciation Month was created in 1993 by the Armed Services YMCA. Each November, the President issues a proclamation that designates the month as Military Family Month, kicking off a time to celebrate and honor military families.
“It is a tradition for our family to be in the military,” Adeline Quinby said. “Our family has a lot of honor associated with service, so both my parents were in the military as well as my grandparents.”
The monthlong observance is a way for the Department of Defense and the entire nation to acknowledge the commitment and sacrifices made by military families, who often face unique challenges due to the nature of military life. This added burden can lead to heightened stress levels, and children may also find themselves taking on more responsibilities, which can negatively affect their emotional health and school performance.
Senior Sarah Dodson’s father’s job as an Admiral in Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) involves extensive travel to oversee various organizations. This often disrupts her family schedule, as he frequently leaves or returns over weekends. He participates in events such as speaking at the Naval Academy’s commencement. Although he was deployed twice in 1995 and 1998, he now serves as the Director of Warfighting Readiness, where he prepares and supports the fleet during wartime by coordinating exercises for conflict.
“We don’t do anything in particular to celebrate the month, but we go to different events that the [United Service Organizations] has,” Dodson said. “But if [my dad] gets promoted, we will have a big party for him and a ceremony.”
According to National Veterans Homeless Support (NVHS), a major way military service impacts family life is through the change in roles and responsibilities during a service member’s deployment. When one parent is away, the other has to manage the duties of both parents, balancing work, childcare and household tasks.
“I actually have been fortunate enough not to move in my lifetime,” Dodson said. “But there are definitely some implications of him being there on the weekends and always doing stuff, but it ends up evening out.”
FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid, highlights the importance of involving the entire family when a member is in the military. Currently, FCPS has over 13,500 military-connected students and 69 schools with Purple Star status, which recognizes schools for excelling their support in military students. Reid says these student-led programs such as the Purple Star, help both military and civilian students connect and support each other, fostering a welcoming environment for newcomers.
“I think representation of military families is pretty important because generally it’s not really talked about and it’s a time to have support for people,” Quinby said.
