Dear Editor,

April is USO’s month of the military Child. I’m writing to honor all active military and veterans who know what it’s like to raise children while serving. I’m writing to share in the special bond military children have with their parents serving our country.

I say share because I am a military child. An Army brat. My father served 20 years active duty in WWII and Korean War then worked 20 more for the OMA and Reserve Center in Iowa. My mother, siblings and I lived without his presence when he was deployed, we were also his greatest support and connection to home no matter which of the many states and two countries we moved to as a family. His service was our calling.

I know other military children walk this same path of life. With pride. I learned the value of serving my community from my parents. I learned respect for the US flag and watched him put it outside each day with a salute. I have his flag and, though a bit faded, I display it as he taught me. Out of love and respect my husband and I moved my parents to Colorado in their later years to spend joyous time together and, when the need came, be their primary caregiver. I was proud being their support, being their VA appointed Fiduciary, being their strength as I watched them lose theirs. Dad lived his last year at Fitzsimmons after his falls took his walking and I drove Mom down daily to visit him until his passing. Their headstone is at Ft. Logan, a symbol of service, pride and sacrifice for our nation.

This is all what a military child does and means. I ask those who have tried to use the flag and our honored military veterans to spread misinformation about me and the county I serve to realize their own disrespect. Please honor military children in, and beyond, April. Please respect veterans and our nation’s flag daily.

Your fellow resident,

Sandy Hollingsworth

Gilpin County