Orlando Family Magazine’s Father’s Day Salute

Lieutenant Daniel Shippy

I am thankful for my husband, LT Daniel Shippy, who will SOON be a military dad! Dan is a physician in the United States Navy and will be deploying to Afghanistan (June 2014-February 2015) to care for our marines and soldiers. His deployment, like those of so many other brave military dads before him, will be during the birth of our first-born child. I am truly proud that one day we will tell our son or daughter how daddy volunteered to serve his country because he wanted to help ensure that other moms and dads could make it home safe and sound too.

─ Dr. Jennifer Shippy, Lieutenant Commander (US Navy) + Baby on board

First Sergeant Eugene Brown 

My husband was my high school sweetheart! A few short days after graduating, he left for basic training and has remained a soldier in the United States Army for 16 years. First Sergeant Eugene Brown has been deployed 4 times (totaling 3 ½ years) and assigned to 5 different duty stations. By the time our first born was 5 years old, my husband had been deployed for over half of our young son’s life. Undoubtedly, my husband has made extreme efforts and, thankfully, was present for the birth of each of our 3 children ─ traveling far from Iraq to make one of the deliveries.

Together, we’ve taught our children the importance of loving and serving God, discipline, and respect for our country and for others. Eugene has taken the time to coach our sons’ football teams, volunteer for cub scouts, chaperone field trips, play Barbie dolls with our 3-year-old daughter, and even makes it a point to devote time to me as well. He is my best friend! We have seen each other at our best and our worst; and we’re determined to keep our marriage strong. He has literally been the one to continually lift me up…whether it was after passing out or dancing at the military balls. Quite simply: He’s our all-around loving & handsome daddy, husband, hero, and favorite soldier! I cannot imagine our lives without him and we are thankful each day that God allows him to come home to us every night.

─ Holly Brown + Zachary (10), Cayden (6), and and Elliana (3)  

Battalion Executive Officer Matthew Kent

My husband, Matthew, is a Major/O-4 in the US Army and currently a Battalion Executive Officer. I am grateful that his line of work allows our family to live in various parts of the world, which has provided our children incredible opportunities to experience and understand cultural diversity. His career commitment comes with many downsides, of course; but the upsides include job security (for the most part), support infrastructures that few civilian jobs offer, pension availability, and the unique culture of our armed forces. I believe that Matthew appreciates his time with our children even more due to the fact that his profession often forces him to miss a great deal with them. I know that he would still be an incredible father without the Army, but the urgency to be a great parent is more so because of the inevitability of his leaving is ever present. And the harsh truth is…there is a real possibility that he may not come back.

─ Lauren Day Kent + Noreena (9), David (7) & Madeline (4)

Chief Petty Officer James Rossetto

The military is full of families with children ─ married couples, single moms, and single dads alike. Although raising a family isn’t an easy task for any parent, the military adds challenges. My husband James and I are a dual military family and we’ve each experienced deployment. Family strains arise on both sides ─ for the spouse who is deployed and for the one left functioning as a temporary single parent at home, but having a child and family members to love helps us to get through these rough times. Staying connected to my wonderful husband via email was the key factor that helped to get me through a long six months away at sea. James, as a Chief Petty Officer – Hull Technician, is truly dedicated to the military and to the sailors who need his guidance and direction; but I never doubt that his family comes first.

When our daughter Isabella is old enough to understand, she will value that her father devotes himself to serving something greater than himself. To a little girl, her daddy means the world, and I know that our little girl will never wonder how much her daddy loves her. As both a military wife and a professional who is equally as dedicated to my naval career, I depend on James to keep me balanced and to remind me each day how important our family is. A simple request of “please come home on time” reminds me that he values our family’s time.

─ Dr. Janel Rossetto, Lieutenant Commander (US Navy) + Isabella (1 ½)