2025/Crew-

As a military child, home is a complex idea, home means more than just a physical structure where you live. Home means comfort, belonging, and memories that fill the towns in which we once lived. It’s where I used to live, it's where places I would go hang out with friends and family exist. Home means to me the warmth of restaurant meals, time with friends, and daily routines. However, because I am a military child I have more than just one physical home. So I will explain why several places can be considered my home.

The first place I consider home is my birthplace Pensacola, Florida. It's where I grew up as an individual. It's where I used to climb up trees with my friends, where the beach resides which we would flee to during long hot summer days. It's where simple places like Publix exist where I would beg to go nearly every day just to get a free cookie. Pensacola is where some of the best seafood restaurants exist and we would get to go and just sit and enjoy our meal at the beach. It's where our nice small house in the corner of The Stables is. The same house where I would run around in the backyard or jump on the trampoline. This is why I consider Pensacola, Florida as a home to me.

The second place I consider home is the small town of Glenelg, Maryland. This is where I would go sledding and play football during heavy snow days. Where I would play sports all season long with my best friend. Glenelg is where we would go to our campfire and make smores while looking at the stars. Where I would run down the stairs to the basement to watch football games with my dad nearly every weekend. It’s where I would beg to be able to go to my friend's house every single weekend. Glenelg is home as it is where me and my friends would run throughout our backyard playing football, playing with Nerf guns, playing tag, etc. This is why I consider Glenelg, Maryland as a home to me.

The last place I consider home is Summerlin, Nevada. Summerlin is where I first got a dog that I would take on many walks throughout the town. Where I would go swimming in our pool nearly every day to escape the heat. It's where I would wake up early with my dad to go on walks throughout Red Rock Park. Summerlin is where I would run around our neighborhood playing football and other games in the streets with my friends. Where I would stay up late hanging out with my friends on weekends. Summerlin is where me and my friends would walk to our local park. It’s where I would go in front of our garage and sell shaved ice during hot summer days. Where I got to go to many football games and the NFL draft with my family and friends. It’s where I got to skip school to go to the Pro Bowl and got my jersey signed by Russell Wilson. This is why I consider Summerlin, Nevada as a home to me.

Altogether, home is a much more complex idea for a military child. As many places can be considered home as we have to move very often. That’s why home to me is more than just a building where I live, it's areas that I lived in where I have many memories with friends and family and a place where I'm always welcome. This is why home is a place full of memories with friends and family who constantly surround me.