THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 9, 1994 TAG: 9410070541
SECTION: HAMPTON ROADS WOMAN PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: MARRIED TO THE NAVY
SOURCE: MARY MAHONEY
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
I HAVE written previously about the difficulties military members face when making the transition from the military lifestyle to the civilian way of life. It can be just as difficult a transition the other way around.
Recently Bill, Chivon and I added another member to our family. We now have a 16-year-old boy living with us. His name is Billy.
We have known Billy for several years. He has been a friend of our daughter, Chivon, and had already spent many hours hanging out in our yard with the rest of the neighborhood kids.
Due to certain circumstances, it was in the best interest of Billy that he find a new home to live in. We were asked and accepted the challenge. The court proceedings were held in June, and Billy has now become a member of our military family.
This young man came from a civilian household and knew nothing of the military lifestyle except what he had heard from others. He knew that Navy families moved a lot, and that sailors traveled quite often. He has become aware of other differences since becoming a member of our family.
The first of many differences was the issuing of a military dependent ID card. Billy was not aware that the military ID card was so important. It took constant reminding to make him realize that he always needs to carry it with him. This card, although small, is vital and necessary for all military members and their families.
Not unlike other kids, Billy never paid much attention to news broadcasts before living with us. We never miss them. He now realizes that what is happening in other parts of the world may directly affect our household.
Our family is actively involved in both the military and civilian communities. We have explained to him that the military community is a ``community within a community.'' We have a responsibility to both.
Billy also has come to realize that our family goes beyond blood relations. We rely on our military friends as we would our families if they lived nearby. Being a military dependent, he is now a part of a very large family.
Through trial and error, he knows that the household routine remains the same whether Bill is home or away.
The quality of time spent together as a family is something that is important to both military and civilians. Billy knows that in our house, we treasure every moment that we can share as a family. Whether it be at the dinner table or taking in a movie, we go out of our way to make these moments part of our daily life. Never will any of us be in such a hurry that we cannot find time to spend together when our sailor is in his home port.
Many have noticed the changes in Billy since he came to live with us. Aside from adjusting to the rules and routine of the Mahoney household, he has settled comfortably into his new role as a military dependent.
- MEMO: Mary Mahoney writes a monthly column about military life. by CNB