They've endured frequent moves, long separations from one — or both — parents, had their lives upended by a global pandemic and, in at least two cases, battled potentially life-threatening illnesses.
Yet during a trip to Washington, D.C., last week to be honored as Operation Homefront's Military Child of the Year, seven young military dependents representing each of the military branches showed all the ebullience and moxie that Defense Department leaders dream could be bottled and sold to potential recruits.
“They are scholars, athletes, musicians, flight leaders, Eagle Scouts and team captains. They are problem solvers, creative thinkers and great dreamers. … We as a society need more citizens who think and act like our military children who understand that public service is indeed an honorable thing and they understand it on a different level,” Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Adm. Christopher Grady said Thursday during an award ceremony for the honorees.
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This year, Operation Homefront, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting military families, chose five high school seniors and two juniors to represent the best of military dependents for the various branches of the armed forces, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and National Guard.
The honorees included six…
