Congratulations to Wyatt, 10, from Ohio – the U.S. Air National Guard WINNER of OMK’s Courageous Kids of 2021 Contest sponsored by Navy Federal Credit Union! 

“Courage, resilience, and strength — my son amazes me every day by showing how to use these qualities,” said his mother. “He shows courage by carrying on and giving all his effort in anything he does with patience and kindness, despite missing his father so much. He shows resilience by going through changes at a new school with a positive attitude, despite wanting his father to be there. Wyatt shows so much strength, whether it is in studying and working to achieve all A’s in school, practicing to achieve a better game of golf, or helping his siblings with the struggle of missing their dad, he shows strength.  

My son humbled me with this deployment. He stepped up to help his sister learn to read, and he would hold his baby brother who wanted his dad but found comfort instead in his brother’s arms. Wyatt would speak so softly and hug his brother and sister when he knew we needed comfort. His kindness and care for others at such a young age gave me strength. 

As a parent, it is expected and needed of me to be strong and caring, but I will admit my son gave me strength with his actions. At home he was an amazing brother, at school an amazing scholar, in his extracurriculars he would strive to practice golf and compete to better himself, and he read so many books for himself and his siblings. 

In his community, Wyatt cared enough to collect trash in the park and encouraged our family to start recycling. He even brought home a book that explained how to recycle and why it was so important. Wyatt decided we should clean up the Union Cemetery Information Board for Veterans of domestic and foreign wars in our hometown for Memorial Day. 

We missed our complete family while my husband was deployed, but my son showed me just how strong, courageous, and resilient he could be in face of it all. He never asked, ‘Why me?’ or became angry about our situation. He understood that every day is a gift and to appreciate the little things, like a call from his dad, a letter in the mail, his brother holding his hand, his sister’s smile after learning something new, his mother’s peace, his teacher’s pride, his community’s compassion, and his own personal drive to do better on and off the golf course.” 

Wyatt and his sister, Ava, each received Our Military Kids grants for golf during their father’s deployment. Thank you, Wyatt + family, for your service!