Meet Kamryn and Jaydyn, the winners of OMK’s Courageous Kids of 2020 Contest in the U.S. Navy (Severely Injured) category!

Kamryn, 10, and Jaydyn, 12, are the children of an U.S. Navy Veteran who underwent treatment for severe combat-related injuries in 2020.

“Kamryn has shown nothing but resiliency, strength and courage. She and I were two peas in a pod. I PCS’d without the family and had plans to visit every 4-6 weeks. Kamryn had a calendar to mark off the days. Then I got tasked to the USNS Mercy and 2 other COVID relief missions and her heart was shattered. But she did what I’ve always told her to do…pick up the pieces and push through. She did just that. She’s kept up her grades throughout virtual and in person school. She adjusted fine when her sister was diagnosed with COVID and picked up the slack to help her dad around the house and yard. She has learned to cook for the family and loves it. It doesn’t stop there, Kamryn has had a mental block in her sport and during this time, she overcame and conquered her fear. She has made her coaches proud by being a leader on the mat and for her team. Her most recent accomplishment is winning the coveted NCA Jacket with her team. She’s definitely one of the strongest kids I know.”

“This last year has been nothing normal for Jaydyn. As it was, I PCS’d without the family because it was the best decision for us at that time. Jaydyn was thriving in her new school after being bullied at her old one. Her cheer gym had to shut down during the pandemic, but she didn’t let that slow her down, she would blow up the tumble tracks and put in the work so that she didn’t loose her skill. The plan for me to come home about every 6-8 weeks was quickly put to a halt when I deployed on the USNS Mercy and was held back for continued COVID Support. She never once complained, she always had a smile on her face which let me know she was ok. She has helped her Dad (who suffers from PTSD/Anxiety) get through the hardest of days. She’s worked so hard on keeping her grades up through virtual learning and once returning to school. Just as things started to get back to somewhat of a routine, she was diagnosed with COVID herself. Quarantined to her room for 14 days, there wasn’t a complaint ever. She understood why she couldn’t be around family. She would open the door for daily temps and to get her food that was set in front of her door, and she did it all with a smile. I couldn’t be more proud of her for pushing and growing through a time were it was all unknown.”

Check out our social media every Mon, Wed, and Sat throughout April’s #MonthOfTheMilitaryChild for more amazing stories from this year’s Courageous Kids of 2020! Read all of their stories here: https://www.ourmilitarykids.org/contest-winners