When my father, Odysseus, and his men sailed off to the Trojan War, they were confident their gods favored a quick victory. Instead, the siege of Troy lasted ten years. After Troy fell, the survivors made their way home to Sparta, Mycenae, Pylos, and elsewhere in the ancient Peloponnese. Neither my father nor any of his troops arrived home with the rest. We waited for years as the news grew worse. Odysseus was dead, we were told,or imprisoned, or, worst yet, he had married another woman and abandoned my mother Penelope, my brother Telemachus, and me.


If he is alive somewhere, his thoughts may wander to Penelope and Telemachus, but he won’t be thinking of me. I am the daughter he doesn’t know exists. Odysseus went off to the Trojan War when his son, Telemachus, was barely old enough to walk. His wife, Penelope, was a teenage bride, and is now a young wife, mother, and queen who has to try to rule Ithaca without him.


I was born seven months after he left. I am a hero’s daughter and a princess of his realm, but I have lived my entire life without a father. I’m nineteen now, and still waiting.


All over the world, and throughout history children grow up as I have. This website will focus on the children of those men and women who have gone off to fight America's wars, and provide information and resources for all who care about military families and want to help.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Operation Hero

The Langley Airman and Family Readiness Center has a great idea to help children understand their servicemember parents’ military life. Now in its eighth year, Operation Hero gives Air Force children an opportunity to simulate the deployment experience in a way that is fun and reassuring. 
Children received a situation briefing, outlining their mission of recovering the fictitious Lt. Col. Mock's puppy, Buster, from terrorist captivity in an area amusement park. 
 They receive their orders, get fitted in protective gear, get some hands-on gear training,   learn about self- and buddy aid, don concealment face paint, and of course get a "mobility kit” full of snacks to keep them from starving while they complete their mission.  
Exhibits and demonstrations allow the children to learn about aspects of service they might find most interesting or exciting--touring military vehicles, seeing military working dogs in action, and watching weapons demonstrations. 
"This experience teaches children what their parents do at work and during deployments," said Tech. Sgt. Letrecia Williams, AFRC program coordinator, in an article by Airman 1st Class Jason J. Brown, 633d Air Base Wing Public Affairs.
"It's a fantastic venue for children to understand what their parents do to defend our country," said Chief Master Sgt. Charles Anderson, 633d Air Base Wing command chief.

Posted by About AART at 7:11 AM

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