Army Spouse Grateful for Support During Son’s First School Year
Military spouse Wendi Iacobello knew from her time volunteering with Operation Homefront’s Back-to-School Brigade® that her son, Roman, would love it.
So when she and Roman had the opportunity to attend an event in August at a VFW Post in Jacksonville, North Carolina, she was quick to register. The event came at a critical time for the Iacobello family.
Roman’s dad, an Army staff sergeant who has served 14 years, is stationed in Oklahoma. But the family chose for Wendi and Roman to stay in North Carolina to be near Wendi’s parents and extended family for support.
“It’s a sacrifice we are all willing to make for the betterment of our son’s education and having family around him,” Wendi said. “We had no family and no support in Oklahoma. It’s hard to be apart, and (Roman) really misses his dad, but it is nice that he has tight relationship with his grandparents.”
“It’s very touching as a family member to be supported. Sometimes I feel like we are very much in the shadows, and Operation Homefront has always made sure we are seen, acknowledged, and supported.” – Wendi Iacobello, Army spouse
The stress of separation was just one reason Wendi looked forward to getting support from Operation Homefront as her son started kindergarten.
The Iacobello family were among 300 people registered for the Jacksonville BTSB drive thru event. It was one of dozens across the U.S. to help military families offset the cost of buying school supplies. Since its inception in 2008, BTSB has delivered more than 535,000 backpacks to military children. The backpacks are filled with school supplies.
“Roman was very excited,” Wendi said. “His favorite color is blue, and they had a very beautiful Carolina blue book bag, which is what we chose.”
She found a local shop that made embroidered nametags like the ones on Army uniforms and had one reading “Roman” sewn on the backpack.
Wendi is grateful to Operation Homefront donors who make military families a priority.
“It’s very touching as a family member to be supported,” Wendi said. “Sometimes I feel like we are very much in the shadows, and Operation Homefront has always made sure we are seen, acknowledged, and supported.”
