A United States Flag is a simple representation of our country and it is hung in all classrooms at our school to remind us of our freedom and the people who are in the service. Photo by: Hayley Snyder
By Hayley Snyder
The holidays are known for families being together, but for some areas across the country that is not always an assured thing.
Being together is something that can be taken for granted. For a few families in the Plymouth area and across the United States, they do not have the ability to be with their loved ones and to celebrate with them during the holidays. The United States military is a common cause of why some families are separated at this time of year. 2011 graduate of Plymouth High School Tiffani Poulos, is currently an active member of the United States Army. Poulos said, “I left in September. I missed Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and all of my families’ birthdays.” She has currently been in the service for three years because she joined shortly after her high school graduation. She was not allowed to leave for the holidays from service while in Afghanistan, but the dining facilities did make them a large meal to enjoy. Poulos also said that they enjoyed Christmas movies while maintaining a normal work day so that they did not miss home much. Poulos’ experience of being away from her family was difficult as she missed her loved ones, but she was excited when she was able to reunite with them.
Junior Isabella Collins, has been spending a few years missing some holidays with her older brother Donavan who is in the service. Photo provided by: Isabella Collins
On a different perspective, the families are also affected by a loved one being involved in the military. PHS junior, Isabella Collins provided some information about how her family celebrated without her older brother home for the holidays. She said he left a few days before Thanksgiving and he also missed Christmas. Collins also talked about how her brother was only supposed to be gone for 3 months but got injured and ended up having to stay an extra 3 months with missing her birthday and his own. Collins is not the only PHS classmate with a family member in the service. Senior Gianella Cerriteno said that her family experiences are different from others. Even though they had an empty seat at the table her step brother did not miss very many holidays throughout his 20 years in the service. She says “It is sad [that he was gone], but it is their decision to try to help others.” Another PHS student, sophomore Eric Burch has a father, uncle, and brother in the service throughout the years. His father was in the service well before Burch was born, being a driver for the Vietnam war. Burch’s family tried to included them while they were gone by “praying for them and kept them in [their] thoughts.”
The holidays are a time of being together, which can be difficult for some families. These are examples of a few families in the Plymouth area who do not have the ability to celebrate with their families. The service members sacrifice everyday things that citizens do not think much about. Even though a few families are separated, the moment when they return is a significant event that impacts them.