OKLAHOMA STATE SENATE / From the desk of Sen. Jessica Garvin
In 2016, God brought me Matt. Having spent most of his life in the custody of the Department of Human Services, there was a long adjustment period. In fact, I would say we are still adjusting almost eight years later. Through the ups and downs of our relationship with Matt, however, our love for him has never changed.
I met Matt at Camp Lu-Jo KISMIF, where my husband and I serve as dorm mom and dorm dad every summer. It was fitting that he came into my life at Lu-Jo — I grew up attending church camp there and haven’t missed many summers since I was in preschool. I was baptized at camp, as were my siblings. So many of my best childhood memories happened at Lu-Jo and many of my dearest friends came into my life at camp and are still some of my closest friends today. It’s a special place for us, so it only made sense that God orchestrated the beginning of our new family, the one that included Matt, there at camp.
On Saturday, I had the honor of being in the crowd to watch the Oklahoma National Guard’s Deployment Ceremony at the Paycom Center in downtown Oklahoma City. These events are always incredibly special for the men and women of the Armed Forces, as they are prayed over and recognized for the sacrifices they are about to make during their deployment. However, at this event, I watched through a different lens.
Matthew is one of the approximately 1,100 Oklahoma National Guardsmen being deployed to Africa, and Saturday, although my seat was surrounded by high-ranking military officials and elected officials, I was there to honor our boy and his friends. The ceremony took on a different meaning, realizing as he would step on that plane on Monday, our family has just become a Blue Star family.
Over the past two years, I have heard many individuals in the political arena refer to themselves as patriots. People have hijacked the word patriot to contrast themselves with those who disagree with them politically. After sitting in that chair and watching my child in that uniform, along with more than 1,000 other men and women, mentally preparing for deployment, I’ve realized how truly offensive it is for that word to be used in that context.
True patriots are people willing to defend their country against our enemies. True patriots are willing to pay the ultimate price for freedom. True patriots are willing to lay down their life for their friends and spend a year or longer away from their children, spouses, parents, siblings, and friends. True patriots put their lives on the line to ensure no soldier is left behind. Matt is a patriot. His friends are patriots. Our veterans are patriots.
On Saturday, Matt was able to surprise our littles and hug their necks before leaving for an entire year. On the way back to Oklahoma City, we said everything we wanted to say, just as I’m certain most other soldiers did with their families. Although Matt is headed to a safer place than soldiers before him, the possibilities during deployment are endless. We made peace about our past arguments, we laughed, I cried, and when we parted ways, he let me hold onto him just a little bit longer than usual. Being a parent is hard. Being a parent to a true patriot is even harder. Although I am excited for him to experience Africa, and although we couldn’t be more proud of his willingness to make this sacrifice for his country, watching him walk away Saturday night was incredibly difficult.
Over the next year, I ask you to commit to praying for these men and women, for their coworkers and employers, for their friends and family, for their safety, strength and health. Oklahomans have a lot to be proud of because of our rich history and tradition of excellence when it comes to our military members. I am proud to support them, proud to pray for them, and now, proud to be a Blue Star mom.
If you have any questions or concerns about legislative issues, please contact me by writing to Senator Jessica Garvin, State Capitol, 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd. Room 237, Oklahoma City, OK, 73105, emailing Jessica. [email protected] or calling 405-521-5522.
