2025/Branden-

Home isn't just a place, it's a feeling. And my home is here, Osan. Home is the atmosphere of the days, and the friends and family who make it special. Home will always be tied to Osan Air Base in South Korea, where I've spent seven years of my life. Even though I've spent years in different parts of the world, Osan has shaped who I am in ways I didn't realize until I moved away two years ago. Now that I've moved back to my home, I finally realize who I am and what Osan has made me into. I realized when I moved away from home that no matter wherever I go, a part of me was left in Osan that I could not bring with me elsewhere.

Osan is more than just a military base, it is its own little world. My earliest memories are waking up to the distant roars of the jets and falling asleep to the quiet hum of the city beyond the gates. Summers were hot and humid, full of life. Kids raced around the playgrounds and families filled the parks. Winters had a kind of magical feeling to them, with crisp air, soft snowfall, and the warmth of tiny local restaurants right outside the base. No matter how many times I walk the same path, there's always a comforting feeling to this day.

But what really makes Osan Home isn't just the place, it is the people. In a military community, everyone understands what it's like to move, to say goodbye, and to make the most of the time we have together. Friends aren't just friends, they're like family, because we all share this experience. We celebrate everything together, from big milestones to the small things, like getting through a tough week or even a personal best in sports. It's the people here that make Osan Air Base feel more than where I just live. This is where I belong. It is my home. It's where I belong, home.

I understand that one day, I'll have to leave Osan AB, just like everyone else. Leaving home is a strange thought. It is hard to imagine waking up somewhere else, in a place without the same familiar sounds, smells, and faces. But I also know that home isn't just a single place, it's the experiences and lessons you learn through it. No matter where I go, Osan will always be a part of me. I know I'll always carry home with me, no matter where life takes me next.