Hometown Brandon - Summer 2015

oys always look forward to a call from
Brad where they can see his smile and
share the day’s events. Recently, their
youngest son Zac was confirmed at
their church. Brad was able to view the
ceremony all the way in Kuwait through
FaceTime. Brad appeared on the screens
at the front of the church, and watched
lovingly as his son confirmed his faith
before the congregation. “The entire
congregation was so moved,” a fellow
church member shared. “There was not
a dry eye in the room.”
When Brad was deployed to Iraq,
Beth decided the time had come for
a change in her own life. She left the
public school system and applied for
the position of Preschool Director at
Brandon Methodist Kindergarten. She
got the job and is now nearing her 11th
year as Preschool Director. Beth also
serves at Brandon First United Methodist
as the Church Children’s Coordinator.
“My church is an incredible source of
support and encouragement when Brad
is deployed,” Beth shared. In her church,
Beth feels the natural community of
Brandon as fellow members pray for
their family and offer constant support
and encouragement. While Brad was in
Iraq, a group of church friends prepared
and delivered meals for the family twice
a week. Right now, as Brad is serving
in Kuwait, the students from Brandon
Methodist Kindergarten are collecting
items to send to the soldiers.
Brad’s homecomings always entail
celebration and a big family get
together. The boys make signs and
excitedly await a hug from their dad.
One year, Brad was able to finish his
deployment in Iraq a few days early
and he arrived home on Christmas Eve.
“It was the most special Christmas,” Beth
said. When Brad is home, he loves going
to Brandon High School football games,
and he enjoys anything outdoors. More
than anything, Brad truly loves spending
every moment with his family. As for
now, Brad’s friends and family anxiously
await his return from Kuwait in late
2015. Undoubtedly, a big celebration
awaits him.
“If you ask Brad why he does what
he does, he will tell you that it is his job”,
Beth explained. “But it is truly a calling
he has had to be in the military.”
Positivity, determination, and
patriotism have led Brad far in his
military career, and he has brought
immense pride to his country and to his
family. Freedom comes at a cost, and
no one knows that better than a true
military wife. Beth has fulfilled many
vocations in her life as wife, mom,
teacher, preschool director, children’s
coordinator, and sometimes even dad.
Every job she has, Beth does with faith
and love. “God is my number one source
of support,” Beth says. “My family, my
church, and especially my children
encourage me daily.” A soldier and a
preschool director, both thankless yet
incredibly important jobs, have not only
made the city of Brandon proud, but also
the entire country. Without people like
them, the United States would not be the
land of the free. Thank you, Brad and
Beth for making this country truly the
home of the brave.
46 • Summer 2015