INNERview: salute to military moms Published May 16, 2013 By Senior Airman Elizabeth Van Patten 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- May 12 is Mother's Day. The 94th Airlift Wing would like to salute our military mother's and thank them for their service to our country and its families. 1. How do you juggle being in the military and a mother? Col. Lourdes Almonte, 94th Aeromedical Staging Squadron commander: Being a mother in itself is a full-time job. Being in the military, 12 years active duty and 15 years as a Reservist, takes a toll on a mother. I have missed many weekend activities such as birthdays and sporting events over the years. My former spouse, however, has been good about taking on 'weekend' responsibilities throughout my Air Force career. Chaplain (Maj.) Olga Westfall, 94th Airlift Wing chaplain: I can say my life is very busy. I have three sons, ages 14, and two 7 year olds. Working full time and fulfilling my reserve duty takes me often away from their activities. My husband, a retired 20 year of active duty military member, and I teach them the importance of commitment and dedication to values. It is not easy to juggle both, but it is possible. I am proud to be in the U.S. Air Force and glad that my family understands and supports me. Maj. Brande Newsome, 94th Airlift Wing sexual assault response coordinator: It is not a task to take lightly. I have deployed a few times and spend quite a bit of time away for temporary duty. I often attempt to add a day on the end or at the beginning of my trips and bring my son along so that he does not feel left out. There are some locations that I frequent for training, that he really enjoys visiting. When he was younger, my husband would come along and keep him occupied during the day while I worked, and I would spend the evening sightseeing with them. My son used to tell people that were a traveling family, and he looks at the trips as opportunities for him to get out and explore new areas. Maj. Tameka Alderman, 94th Mission Support Group executive officer: Delicately. It takes constant deposits to ensure I dedicate the appropriate amount of attention to both home and work and the right time. My plan is not say that I wish I would have spent more time with my family when I retire. Ask my better half and my boss how I'm doing. Master Sgt. Tonia Reid, 80 Aerial Port Squadron: Being a military mother, I find it to be very challenging and rewarding. My challenge is being a single mom to my daughter, Morgan, and having to juggle various activities such as church, Girl Scouts, volunteering, parent-teacher meetings, birthday parties, and more. My reward is that I know that I am raising an intelligent, well-behaved, respectful little lady. I balance all these things with the help of God, good friends, a balanced diet and lots of EXERCISE. Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Wilson, 94th Force Support Squadron: My family is very busy and my job is just as busy. My husband and I work well as a team. He is extremely supportive and manages to get all 5 of our kids off to school each morning while I try to work with them on homework and after school stuff each evening. Our family eats every evening meal together and it's loud and fun to hear my children tell me what happened during their day. Weekends are extremely important for our family. We try to do all our activities as a family, or split into smaller groups. Staff Sgt. Jasmine Turk, 94th Logistics Readiness Squadron: Both "jobs" are very difficult. With support from my family and friends I am able to juggle being a military mother. When things become overwhelming, I remind myself that I am providing a better life for myself and my daughter. 2. Any advice for new military mothers? Almonte: Your children will always be there for you. The military is a career which is so rewarding, but, is not infinite. Westfall: Never give up! Nothing in life comes easy. Success and hard work bring its rewards. Our kids learn from us. As they see us wearing the uniform they learn the principles of citizenship, dedication to duty and commitment. Newsome: I would say keep the balance as much as possible between career and parent. Include the children whenever and wherever appropriate. They want to go TDY also, so just make it a part of the budget if you can. Help your kids see the honor in your role and the bigger picture of working for a greater cause larger then self. Let the kids be kids and set aside special time to spend with them Share stories about deployments and trips that they are not able to go on and leave them with keep sake items to help the time pass. Stay in touch as well. Alderman: Find your balance early and develop a strong support system. More often than not, we are faced with choosing between our job and family. Being a career woman can be a challenge. Love it and live it! Reid: You are not the first military mom! Focus on what is important, find balance and most of all LOVE your babies! Wilson: Remember that work is just work. It has nothing to do with you and your family, so don't bring it home. If you can, try to work an earlier schedule and spend more time with family during the evenings. Try to eat meals together as a way of seeing each other and spending time getting to know each other better. Try to find hobbies that let your kids work with you. Mine are gardening and cooking. That makes them feel that they know a little bit more about you. Turk: Treasure every moment you have with your child or children. I have missed my daughter's first steps and her second birthday, however I continue to make lasting memories with her every chance I get. 3. How will you celebrate Mother's Day, given it falls on a UTA weekend? Almonte: I will not be celebrating Mother's Day this year, as it falls on a UTA weekend. However, I will be sure I thank all the mothers in my squadron for the sacrifices they make working and being away from their children on such an important day. Westfall: My husband will make a nice dinner when I get home on Sunday night. Then on Monday, back to work! Newsome: I will work during the day of course, and then I will go out to dinner with the family in the evening. We may actually make it a weekend celebration, and spend time with my mother one night and my grandmother another night, to make sure we appreciate the key women in our lives. Alderman: Breakfast before I leave for work Sunday, video chat for lunch, and a nice dinner prepared by my three angels. Reid: I will be celebrating Mother's Day early with my daughter and Mom at a restaurant of their choice. Wilson: I will be going out to eat Saturday night with the entire family to celebrate Mother's Day. My girls love to make gifts for me and bring me flowers. This is the best tradition I can think of. I have about 14 years of homemade gifts starting from my son, Miles, and still going strong from all 4 of my girls, Emily, Charlotte, Frances and Evalee. I believe Sunday will be cookout time, with my kids helping prepare dinner. Turk: Honestly every day is Mother's Day for me. My daughter is great about showing her love and affection on a daily basis. The only difference is this year is that we are unable to attend Mother's Day church service. However, we will still have our Mother's Day dinner with my Grandmother. 4. Anything else you would like to add? Almonte: The Air Force is the best branch of service for women/mothers. Although we all raised our right hands and took a solemn oath of office, children are the most important things in the world. You can NEVER replace them, but, you can replace a career. Even if your children don't tell you how proud they are of you for serving, you will get satisfaction in some instances. I know that when I've been invited to Veteran's Day events at my children's schools and they have been proud. They may seem embarrassed, but, you could see it in their eyes when your name gets called in front of all their classmates. That, in itself, is extremely rewarding! Newsome: Being mom and in the military is a very doable and natural thing. It is similar to being mom and executive or working for an organization that has a global impact requiring travel and time away from home. Stay closely connected to the kids as they grow up and help them to make themselves a part of your career and success stories. Let the family know that it is because of their wiliness to share you with the world that you can be as successful as you are. Enjoy both the kids and the job. Alderman: We have the unique opportunity to serve our country and directly mold the leaders of tomorrow. I really appreciate all the mothers who have made working and parenting seem so easy. Best quote ever, "I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion." Wilson: I'm a proud Air Force member and a proud Air Force mom. I believe that keeping my kids busy in community, school, sports and church allows them to learn and grow with boundaries that keep them healthy, safe and happy. I keep up with five kids, all running in different directions, while working as an air reserve technician from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. every day. I set goals. When my kids, my husband and I meet those goals, I can see and feel a satisfaction that makes the hard work worth it. Turk: I found it very helpful to bring my daughter to the base for Family Day and Air Shows. In doing so my daughter has an appreciation for the Air Force. She is excited to tell her friends about her trips to the base and the multiple things she saw. Happy Mother's Day, military moms!
