Michala B. is the daughter of U.S. Army Sergeant Bernard T.. “I would describe my dad as a generous man who put everyone before himself. His military service means that he was willing to give up his life for our country.” With help from Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation (Fallen Patriots), she is studying Special Education at University of Wisconsin-Stout.
“My first-grade teacher inspired me to choose this field, but everyone I know has told me I’m great with kids and encouraged me to do something in my life with kids. So, I took their word for it and now I am committing a lot of time to my studies to make sure I am the best teacher I can be.”
Michala encourages other military children who have lost a parent in the line of duty to not worry about what you cannot change. “Some people have to leave your life whether you can control if or not. And with that change, you are given an opportunity for something different to happen to you, whether it is meeting someone new, given the opportunity to earn scholarship money, or even do things like go on adventures.”
She credits Fallen Patriots for helping with educational finances and aims to make the organization and those who are part of it proud. There are approximately 25,000 children who have lost an active duty parent in the military over the last 35 years. The vision of Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation is to ensure that every such child receives all necessary college funding.
