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Our Dad Defends Our Country

This brother and sister have a father who serves in the U.S. military. 

November 1, 2021
By Alicia Green

As You Read: Identify two ways that the Garcias make sacrifices so their dad can serve.

Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images

Adonis (left) is 10. Ava (right) is 12.

Last May 25 began like a normal day for Adonis and Ava Garcia. But this brother and sister from Chula Vista, California, were in for a big surprise.

The kids and their mom, Amanda, went to Adonis’s baseball game that afternoon. After the national anthem, Adonis turned around.

Adonis couldn’t believe it. His father, Juan, was standing there! The family hadn’t seen Juan in more than six months. He had been away on active duty in the United States Navy.

Juan is one of more than 1.4 million people serving in the U.S. military. They—and their families—face many challenges.

Last May 25 began like a normal day for Adonis and Ava Garcia. But this brother and sister from Chula Vista, California, were in for a big surprise.

The kids and their mom, Amanda, went to Adonis’s baseball game. After the national anthem, Adonis turned around.

Adonis couldn’t believe it. His father, Juan, was there! The family hadn’t seen Juan in six months. He had been away on duty in the United States Navy.

Juan is one of more than a million people serving in the U.S. military. They—and their families—face many challenges.

Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images

Ava and Juan spend time together.

A Dad's Duty

Juan has been in the U.S. Navy for 19 years. The Navy is the branch of the military that protects our country on the sea. Juan spends long stretches of time deployed far away from home. As a hospital corpsman, his job is to treat troops for any illness or injury.

Juan has been deployed five times, away from his wife and kids for months. During one deployment, he was at sea for a year. That’s hard on all of them.

Juan has been in the U.S. Navy for 19 years. The Navy is the branch of the military that protects our country on the sea. Juan spends long stretches of time deployed far from home. He is a hospital corpsman. His job is to treat troops for any illness or injury.

Juan has been deployed five times. Each time, he was away from his wife and kids for months. One time, he was at sea for a year. That’s hard on all of them.

Making Sacrifices

Every few years, Juan is assigned to a different location and the whole family moves. They have lived in Arizona, Texas,
and California.

A move means packing up, leaving friends and family behind, and living in a new place. Sometimes a move can happen in the middle of the school year.

“Changing schools and making new friends can be scary,” Adonis explains.

Amanda says the family tries to stay positive and focus on good things. They think of the moves as chances to explore new places and meet new people. And, no matter what, they’re always there for each other.

“It’s difficult,” Amanda says. “But we have each other to lean on.”

Every few years, Juan is assigned to a different location. Then the whole family moves. They have lived in Arizona, Texas, and California.

A move means packing up, leaving friends behind, and living in a new place. Sometimes it can happen in the middle of the school year.

“Changing schools and making new friends can be scary,” Adonis says.

Amanda says the family tries to stay positive. They focus on good things. They think of the moves as chances to explore new places and meet new people. And they’re always there for each other

“It’s difficult,” Amanda says. “But we have each other to lean on.”

Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images

The Garcias welcome Juan home.

Home At Last

For now, Juan is home and the Garcias will stay in Chula Vista for the next year. That means Ava and Adonis don’t have to FaceTime their dad.

They’re enjoying actual face-to-face time with him. They get to celebrate Veterans Day with him this year. But they know their dad will one day be deployed again.

Juan hopes his kids know that he doesn’t want to be gone, but it’s his duty.

He says, “It’s an honor and privilege to serve the United States and to make sure that our country and my family are safe.”

For now, Juan is home. The Garcias will stay in Chula Vista for the next year. That means Ava and Adonis don’t have to FaceTime their dad.

They’re enjoying their time with him. They get to celebrate Veterans Day with him this year. But they know their dad will one day be deployed again.

Juan hopes his kids know that he doesn’t want to be gone, but it’s his duty.

He says, “It’s an honor and privilege to serve the United States and to make sure that our country and my family are safe.”

What is Veterans Day?

Shutterstock.com

We celebrate this special day every year on November 11. It's a time for Americans to thank and honor our more than 18 million veterans. Those men and women have served in the military.

Americans across the country celebrate the day with parades and speeches.

What is Veterans Day?

Shutterstock.com

We celebrate this special day every year on November 11. It's a time for Americans to thank and honor our more than 18 million veterans. Those men and women have served in the military.

Americans across the country celebrate the day with parades and speeches.

1. How does the author start the article? Why do you think she starts this way?

2. Why will Adonis and Ava not be FaceTiming with their dad for a while? 

3. Juan says that while he doesn’t want to be away from his family, going on deployments is his duty. What does he mean by duty? 

1. How does the author start the article? Why do you think she starts this way?

2. Why will Adonis and Ava not be FaceTiming with their dad for a while? 

3. Juan says that while he doesn’t want to be away from his family, going on deployments is his duty. What does he mean by duty? 

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