PATRIOT | PAGE 1 - Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass

PATRIOT | NEWSWESTOVER PATRIOTS |Essay winners reflect on military pride, familiesEDITOR’S NOTE: Steven Naylor, a familymember of a Westover reservist, and MasterSgt. Kara Stackpole, 439th Aeromedical StagingSquadron, recently each won $500 Chiefs’Council scholarships for their essays.Steven is the son of Tech. Sgt. Brian Naylor,42nd Aerial Port Squadron. The following areexcerpts from his essay that answered:“What does it mean to be a family memberof an Air Force reservist?”Sergeant Stackpole’s essay excerpts, whichfollow, answer,“What does it mean to be a part of today’sAir Force Reserve Command?”Honestly, it is hard to put into words whatit’s like to be the son of an Air Force Reservemember. I won’t speak for everyone, but forme, it hasn’t always been easy. Many people,including some military, don’t think it’s a bigdeal to be part of the reserves.I have friends that are in the militarywho refer to reservists as “weekend warriors,”people who drill once a month and only goaway for a maximum of two weeks once ayear.After being a son of a reservist all my life,I can honestly say that reservists, especiallymy father, are just as important as any activedutymember and are far from mere “weekendwarriors.”In the last seven years my father hasbeen deployed twice. The first of which wasDecember 26, 2002. I was in seventh gradeat the time and he left for 11 months. Hemissed my 13th birthday and almost a fullyear of my life. I don’t think people understandor realize what it is like to be part ofa military family until they actually live it.When one of your parents is deployed withWELCOME HOME >> Samantha Stackpole,welcomes home her mom, Master Sgt. KaraStackpole, from a deployment in 2008. SergeantStackpole credits her daughter withhelping her succeed in her military career. (Filephoto by Tech. Sgt. Andrew Biscoe)the military, and the other parent is a citypolice officer, you tend to grow up faster thanyou should.During those 11 months in 2002, I matureda great deal. Even though I was just 13, I feltmuch older. When my mother was workinglate I had to take care of my little brother,make dinner, help him with his homework,and still do all of my work.You’d think it would become easier, thatyou might get used to your father being gonewith the military, but it doesn’t; it was harderthe second time. That second deploymentwas in September 2008. I was 19 and startingmy first year of college at MassachusettsMaritime Academy. Looking at 2010, my fatheris going to deploy for a third time for fourmonths. This time will not be any easier.Sergeant Stackpole’s essay excerpts:Over the past 12 years, I have learned andwitnessed first-hand that I’m part of the greatestteam ever assembled.My team encourages me to succeed, teachesme how to overcome obstacles, educates meon how I fit in, entrusts me with life-changingdecisions, supports me when times are toughand empowers me to do the same for the restof our team.I know I would have never become thewoman I am today if not for the reserve. Iwould have eventually obtained my education,found a job, and ultimately raised a family.I’m sure I may have been happy, but I wouldhave never felt this sense of purpose that isingrained in me. It is a cause that transcendsany job or career I could have envisioned onmy own.Obtaining a nursing degree means I bringstronger skills to our team. When I have thehonor of deploying again, I will have strengthenedand diversified my ability to help ourwounded men and women.I’m also the mother of a beautiful 6-year-olddaughter. When she was born, I wondered ifI would be a good example for her. I alwayswanted to become a nurse and felt she wouldbe proud of me for that. I no longer wonderif I am going to be a good example, or worryif my daughter will be proud of me.This has already been answered.As I arrived back in the United States fromIraq, she was there waiting to jump into myarms.She called me her hero and let me know howproud she was of me.This is why I consider it an honor to writethis for you, to say thank you to my team forgiving my life a higher purpose.Teenagerscan apply tosummitsThe Air Force Reserve/AirNational Guard Teen LeadershipSummits are open to all 14-18year-old dependent teenagers ofcurrent Air Force Reserve or AirNational Guard members.Applicants must completethe summit application for thesession they wish to attend toinclude essay questions, Codeof Conduct and a transportationform.The schedule includes thefollowing: Classic Summit, June13-18, Wahsega 4-H Center,Dahlonega, Ga.; Survival Summit,July 20-25, Colorado YouthPrograms, Boulder, Colo.; AdventureSummit, Aug. 10-15, CheleyCamps, Estes Park Colo.:Information:>> Stacey Young, Stacey.young@us.af.mil, 478-327-0971,DSN 497-0971>> Brandi Mullins, brandi.mullins.ctr@us.af.mil, 478-327-2090, DSN 497-2090