2025/Eliana-

Hi, my name is Eliana, and I am a military child. Both of my parents were in the military, but now my dad serves while my mom takes care of our family. Being a military child is fun, but it can also be difficult.

For example, my dad must go away sometimes. When I come home from school and he’s not there, I feel upset. But I remind myself that I can do hard things. The good news is that sometimes he’s only gone for a month, which makes it easier! My friends help me feel happy, and some of them also have dads who are away, so we support each other. Every time my dad comes home, we celebrate and say, “Welcome back!”

Moving is a big part of military life. When I moved to Japan, I had to leave my friends in Maryland, which was hard. But the good news is that I made new friends here in Okinawa! I now speak three languages—English, Spanish, and a little Japanese.

My dad has been a Marine even before I was born, and I know he will never quit. I think he’s the best Marine ever. When he’s away, I bet he feels just as sad as I do because we’re a family, and we share the same emotions.