who is your hometown hero?
Who is your hero? I met mine in May of 1998. He was fresh from Basic Training and I was coming out of my freshman year at LSU. A series of odd events brought him to my dorm room on the very day I was packing up for the summer. It took one afternoon to convince me that I'd found "the one". I have really great instincts. We were married in September of 2003, had our first baby in September of 2004 during flight school in Fort Rucker, AL. In 2008, he was deployed to Iraq, where he remained for a year (missing the delivery of our third baby and his first 6 months of life-- read more on that here). We recently celebrated the birth of our fifth child- and while he is no longer in the army, he'll always be my hero. 
Even being a former military wife, I'll never fully understand what our hardworking soldiers go through in times of war or separation- or that well of strength deep inside that draws them to military service in the first place. I do, however, understand the network of heroes who are left behind: the husbands and wives and children of those servicemen and women... the ones who didn't necessarily choose a military life- but proudly, humbly, bravely follow their soldiers to lands unknown. So in addition to the amazing men and women who are willing to fight and die for this country, we applaud the lesser-known heroes in trenches of their own: the tired mom who fixes toilets, mows the lawn and remembers to take out the trash... the anxious dad who drives carpool, braids hair and bakes cupcakes for class, the child who puts one foot in front of the other every day- a weary smile on his face. Our military families are the backbone of this country- and we all owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude. Having said that, W.D. Wolf wants to honor a hometown hero with "Hometown Firecracker" outfits for his or her family. So, who is your hero? Leave your nominations here. Please tell us a little bit about your favorite soldier, military spouse or family- and what makes them so very special. We will select and announce the winner this week. Love, Sarah & Shannon
I would like to nominate my friend, CW3 Brian Black, as the hometown hero. Brian has served our country for over 20 years in first the Navy and now as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot in the Army. He recently returned from a yearlong deployment in Afghanistan (his 3rd career tour) with an elite command. Brian is not only an accomplished pilot, but also a loving father & husband to Shawndah and their kids, Jackson and little Layla.
At the beginning of his deployment, something very unexpected happened. I remember like it was yesterday; Shawndah sent me a picture of a positive pregnancy test. It was a shock because she had tubal ligation immediately following Jackson’s cesarean birth. Talk about a surprise! I could not imagine being in that situation; specifically, where my husband had just been deployed overseas and I was already alone with a one year old & now (very) unexpectedly pregnant, but Shawndah handled it with grace and Brian supported her throughout the pregnancy. He was away for the first three months of Layla’s life, but he is now back and gearing up for a new assignment that will require his family to PCS to Ft Rucker, AL. I think WDW’s firecracker would be perfect for their last 4th of July in Savannah! I admire all military and their spouses, but this family is a bright light to me because they are great friends. Thank you for your consideration!
We met on a warm fall night not too long after his return home from his first deployment. I was 18 and just ended a 2 year relationship. He came up on the porch of a mutual friend’s home, nodded and passed me by. I was encouraged to go talk to him but I refused. Not 5 min later he came out, brought me a drink, and sat down. The conversation started. This sounds korny and fairy tale-ish but I knew. I just knew. We saw each other when we could between work and collwge schedules. Just over a year later I received the most “devastating” news, yep, I was pregnant. All sorts of things ran through my mind but nevee once was one of them a fear he’d leave. As I broke the news to him by chucking a bag of pre natal vitamins at him from his couch as I sob and scream he just smiled and said we’re ok. WE’RE! He said we’re. Although I was still in panic and scared for this baby, I heard We’re. Time moved so quickly. I moved out of my grandparents, we found and made a home WE had a breathtaking baby girl. He proposed as i sat holding her at home feeling hideous. I said yes. Then more devastating news. Yep, he was leaving. Not just leaving but leaving for war. Less than 25 years old and he was leaving for a second time. Fast forward. He came home to a different wife. One who was more self sufficient, a wife and new mother who felt abandoned. Who felt resentment and hatred. When he returned I was not the same. I was cold and angry. We moved to our new home where he started his career as police officer. He stayed with me. Through all the terribleness, through all the stress and tears and low low downs, he shouldered it. Fast forward some more and beautiful little girl # 2 came. Now nearly 10 yearsr, a deployment, 2 daughters, and a home later, we made it. Tougher than nails, better than bread and butter, we made it. That’s my hometown hero. Always pulling extra shifts, saving lives from the front line in camo and in blue, a daddy, a husband, a friend, and so so much more. He’ll never know any of this because I don’t say it enough but he’s a hero. Not just my superman but your and their hero
I nominate my grandpaw Wade Trahan Sr. He stuggled with Cancer for a long time and has now passed on to his forever home in heaven. He is my Hometown Hero and a true American. He severed in World War II as well as many others . He was one of the few, the proud, the Marines. Serving in World War II there was a difficult choice he had to make, save himself as they were about to be killed or try to save 2 of his fellow Marines. What did he choose, well all three of them came out alive that day. He chose not to leave them behind. He is a true American and a true human being. Im proud to call him my grand paw. I love you Poppa T Nome!!! May you rest in peace with Jesus. I wish he could have lived to watch his great-granddaughter, my sweet baby girl grow up. Your time with her was very short poppa im so sorry. You are greatly missed.
My name is Shy, I am fourteen years old. My hero is my Aunt Nicole. She was just talking about how great this company was for doing this. She doesn’t know I put her name in. She is too humble to nominate herself, but i hope she wins. My Aunt Cole is in the Navy. She is not only my hero but my role model, too. She is the most selfless person I know. She puts everyone and everything before herself, including me. I had a bad life, filled with neglect and abuse. The courts removed me from my mom. Aunt Cole went to court and fought for custody of me from the state. She took me in when no one else wanted me. It was tough to be torn away from a life that seemed so simple, and tossed into a whole new one. I officially became part of the Meyer family in 2011. I actually feel love and like I belong now. Somedays are better than others.. But even on those bad days, she always manages to smile and says " it’s not always rainbows and butterflies".. But never complains about anything. She does everything for us. She works, cooks, cleans, takes me to yoga, lets me drive in the park, and takes care of us, with a smile. If i am am having a hard time, or feeling down and crabby she makes me feel better. She has taught me so many things, Most importantly she has taught me to be a lady, not to hate anyone, and to always believe in GOD. One day I hope I am a good mother like her. I love her for everything that she has done for me. She believes in me. she is the most influential person in my life. She gave me a chance at life. I appreciate everything she has done for me. She is always there for me. She will never know how much she means to me. She is my hero.
My Hometown Hero is my daughter, Nicole McGill. Her husband is currently serving in Afghanistan while she is home, raising their 2 year old son and pregnant with their second child and first daughter. He will miss the birth of their precious Sophia but is so excited to have a princess. She has not complained, but I know that this is hard on both of them. She has been keeping an eye on this dress as it would be the perfect outfit for little Sophia to meet her Daddy in when he finally comes home to them.