Children who have a military parent are often wise beyond their years. Many learn from a young age to be independent and resourceful because of their experiences moving around the world and living in different cultures, combined with the increased responsibilities they must assume when their parent is deployed. Kylie McGuire, the 2019 Coast Guard Military Child of the Year® Award recipient, is a good example of how belonging … Continued
Award-Winning Army Teen Embraces Many Roles, In Life and On Stage Elisabeth McCallum Polleys’ passion for acting has exposed her to diverse roles, giving her insight into different eras, ways of thinking, and styles of interacting. Her love for theater is among the many facets of Elisabeth’s life that have made her an informed, well-rounded … Continued
Military Teen Emerges Victorious, Like Butterflies He Helps Save. Benjamin Rawald can’t decide which is the greater benefit of receiving the 2019 Air Force Military Child of the Year® Award – the scholarship that will help him and his family pay for college or the attention he might garner for one of his favorite conservation concerns, saving monarch butterflies. Both are excellent perks, says Benjamin, 17, who felt “shock, disbelief and then relief” when he found … Continued
“What will my life look like next year?” Military Child Award Winner wonders When Air Force son Brandon Mammano encounters tough times, including the many challenges of moving eight times in his 18 years, three sources of strength see him through: God, his parents and music. The 2019 Military Child of the Year® Innovation Award recipient has learned … Continued
Ravin Woodard stood at the corner of the kitchen island and took a quiet moment to herself among the hustle and bustle surrounding her. Her smile never wavered as she looked around the newly-built, three-bedroom, two-bath house. For Ravin, everything felt a bit unreal. “It’s overwhelming. It’s like, it feels like it’s mine but at … Continued
A champion swimmer, two Eagle Scouts and a Princeton University research assistant are just a few of the outstanding characteristics of the 2019 Military Child of the Year® Award winners recently announced by Operation Homefront. The winners also include an aspiring actress, a middle school fundraising phenom and an advocate for new-to-school military students. Recipients … Continued
Operation Homefront is thrilled to announce the 96 semifinalists for the 2019 Military Child of the Year® (MCOY) Award. Below are the 2019 Military Child of the Year® Award semifinalists by service branch along with the semifinalists for the 2019 Military Child of the Year® Award for Innovation: Air Force Shaylee Barber, 16, Ewa Beach, … Continued
by Cathy McCarthy All of us here at Operation Homefront hope that you get to enjoy family time together on Thanksgiving this year. But, we also know that many military families will not be with their loved ones. That is just part of military life, and one of the prices paid in service to country. … Continued
Scholarship and Homefront Celebration Were Bright Spots During a Difficult Time Achieving your degree is a tremendous accomplishment. Many times, military spouses are not able to complete their education due to the inherent challenges of military life – multiple moves, deployments, injuries, children’s needs, etc. Sarah Gaul’s dream of completing a bachelor’s degree will finally … Continued
“Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” Dr. Suess We all know military kids grow up in a unique world compared to many of their peers. Every year, we help bring military kids into the spotlight and recognize them for their service as a member of a military family. Operation Homefront is … Continued
