Brian J. joined the military in 2005 to stabilize the family he and his wife, Jessica, had started. The couple had 3-month-old twins and two daughters when they reached Fort Bragg, North Carolina — their first duty station. During their time served, they grew their family by four more children who all now range in age from 6 to 24.
Veterans are eligible for a wide array of free benefits for veterans that are often misunderstood or overlooked. These are just small tokens of gratitude that our country provides in response to the dedication and sacrifice of service to our nation.
Military family life can be summed up in two phrases for Army spouse, mom, and caseworker Rose Wilson: Expect the unexpected, and hurry up and wait.
Operation Homefront, the national nonprofit dedicated to building strong, stable, and secure military families, announced today that is joining longtime partner, Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), to award five military spouses with full-tuition scholarships in honor of Military Spouse Appreciation Day.
During her first 20 years as a Navy spouse, Melissa Mosher paused her education and career goals to focus on her family and supporting other military families. Now, she’s back on the path that took a detour when military life shifted her priorities.
With two parents serving in the Coast Guard, Victoria “Tori” Vanacore learned early that, ready or not, change happens. She also learned to adapt. Her resilience and determination earned her the title of Operation Homefront’s 2026 Military Child of the Year® for the Coast Guard.
One member of Hannah Kirksey’s family wore the Marine Corps uniform for two decades. Each member of the household served proudly with him through relocations, deployments, and adjustments of military life. Hannah, 18, is Operation Homefront’s 2026 Military Child of the Year® for the Marine Corps.
Military service runs four generations deep in Lila Morgan’s family, and that history inspires her to lead a life defined by service, leadership, and purpose. At 18, Lila’s resilience and strength have earned her opportunities and awards from local to international levels, including her recognition as Operation Homefront’s 2026 Military Child of the Year® for the National Guard.
As part of a military family, Ayla Zook learned early how to embrace fresh opportunities and anchor herself amid change. Ayla, a freshman at Dartmouth College, is Operation Homefront’s 2026 Military Child of the Year® for the Navy.
Adjusting to her family’s new normal with each of her father’s moves and deployments left Taylor Schreiner feeling hollow when she was a young child. Today, she has pride in her family’s resilience and her father’s military service as she is recognized as Operation Homefront’s 2026 Military Child of the Year® for the Space Force.
