For many moms, seeing their children join the armed forces invokes a deep sense of pride, honor, and even a little uncertainty. While the thought of their child in harm's way can be agonizing, there's an undeniable pride military moms have, knowing they raised children who are contributing to something greater than themselves. The sacrifice of a military mom is great and often unrecognized as she bravely supports her child's service while feeling constant worry.
Meet three military mothers whose children chose a life of service dedicated to the U.S. military.
Dalila Brokaw
Brokaw never imagined her children would join the military. “I'm originally from Brazil,” she says. “I don't come from a military family.”
So it was a surprise when her son, Christian, 20, and daughter, Rachael, 18, joined the armed forces.
Brokaw has always been close with her children. She was involved throughout their school years and maintains that close relationship now that they are both in the military.
Christian joined the Marines when he turned 18. He is now a diesel mechanic stationed in San Diego. “I am so proud of him,” says Brokaw. “Every time he visits me, he brings a new medal to show me.”
Following in her older brother's military footsteps, Rachael also enlisted at 18. “Rachael is smart; she received a scholarship to NAU but wants to travel and see the world, so she joined the Navy instead.”
Brokaw relates how Rachael loved boot camp. She was quickly promoted to platoon leader.
“I was sad when they decided to leave to join the military. It was scary and painful, but I am so proud of them,” says Brokaw. “I brag about them all the time. I raised two heroes.”
Susan Lanier-Graham
Lanier-Graham, the managing editor of North Peoria Lifestyle, comes from a long line of military. Despite that, it was a surprise when her son, Patrick, now 40, joined the Army a few years after completing culinary school.
“My father and father-in-law were Navy,” explains Lanier-Graham. “I have six uncles who served, plus several cousins. My husband joined the Air Force in 1983, right after we married. But seeing my son join the military was still hard.”
Patrick served ten years in the U.S. Army as a medical lab technician. “He joined during Operation Iraqi Freedom, so I was always worried he would be deployed,” says Lanier-Graham.
Although Patrick never served overseas, he frequently spent long deployments away from his family, which was a challenge for his wife Kamilla and their five children.
"The military isn't easy on the service member or the family," says Lanier-Graham.
She recently learned that the legacy of military service will continue to the next generation. Her grandson has joined the U.S. Navy and will leave after graduation this summer.
“He’s only 17,” explains Lanier-Graham, “so I worry about him, but as with my son, I’m proud of his decision.”
Christine Andert
Andert is a long-time Peoria resident and the mother of two boys, Christopher, 28, and Michael, 23. Andert is a successful businesswoman and owner of The Picture Lady Photography.
When her son Christopher was about 12 years old, he suffered a devastating injury while playing hockey. “We needed to refocus him at that time,” says Andert. “And that was with music.”
Music soon became a driving force in Christopher's formative years, and he was adamant about making a career out of his passion.
“One day, he called and asked if he could use my (photo) studio to record a demo reel,” she said. That demo reel was an audition for the Old Ironsides, First Armored Division Band based out of Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas.
“Having a son join the Army was the farthest thing from my mind, and when he first told me he was joining, of course, I was worried because there is potential for him to be sent to locations of conflict,” Andert says. “But I am so proud of his dedication and hard work. He is doing something he truly loves.”
