Art from the Heart

Art from the Heart

Expressions from America’s Military Children

Visual arts and writing allow us a glimpse into the world of military children from their unique perspectives. The Military Child Education Coalition® (MCEC®) believes artistic expression is a pure, sincere, and candid way for children to communicate pride in their parents, celebrate their lives, acknowledge their grief or worry, and much more.

Since the MCEC began the “Call for the Arts,” thousands of military children from across the world and from every branch of service have mailed us their drawings, poems, and interpretations of what it means to be a military child. We hope what you see here paints a poignant picture for you, too. Enjoy this visual representation of our unique, resilient children making their own sacrifices and serving our country.

America’s Children...

ABOUT THE MILITARY CHILD EDUCATION COALITION The Military Child Education Coalition®, (MCEC®,) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, worldwide organization that identifies challenges facing the highly mobile military child, increases awareness of these challenges in military and education communities, and initiates and implements programs to meet the challenges. The MCEC focuses on all military installations, their supporting schools, concerned organizations, and caring individuals. For more information, please visit www.MilitaryChild.org.

“Military Child Education Coalition®,” “MCEC®” and associated trademarks and design elements are owned by the Military Child Education Coalition. ©2013 Military Child Education Coalition. All Rights Reserved

Alyssa | Grade 4 | Wilson Elementary School | Fort Benning, GA | U.S. Army

Prionna | Grade 4 | Wilson Elementary School | Fort Benning, GA | U.S. Army

“I Know” by Elisa Solomon I know what it feels like to move again and again, I know what it’s like to see the brown cardboard boxes never end.

I know what it’s like to have to adapt to a new environment, and I know what it’s like to see loved ones dream of retirement.

I know what it’s like to have to make new friends, just so you can leave them before the year even ends.

I’ve been to the airports waving my last goodbye; I know what it’s like to see the plane shoot for the sky.

I know what it is like to see loved ones deployed for years at a time, and I know what it’s like to wait on their call at half past nine.

I know what it’s like being up late at night, worrying about your loved ones--Are they alright?

But I also know what it’s like to see loved ones come home. I’ve experienced the laughter and the hugs; the joyous reuniting; the storytelling and the smiles.

I’ve seen the sense of relief in my mom’s eyes, the gentle exhale, the soothing sigh.

And I often wonder how we did it, and then I remember we’re military, we push through it.

The military families have the endurance, the ability to persevere through even the strongest storms.

The military families provide support and while the Soldiers are gone, we hold down the fort.

Military families have strength, the ability to face trials and tribulations head on.

Military families are the shoulder to cry on when a best friend’s dad who saved his unit is now gone.

Military families are the elite force, and do so much to show their support.

They extend themselves in times of need, which is the true fulfillment of duty, honor, country.

Military families go through a lot at times, and are heroes as much as the Soldiers they stand behind.

And though we are not on the very front lines, we are the strong, supportive, loving, faithful, honest, hopeful, brave foundation that makes the armed forces shine.

So thank you Soldiers for all that you do, and thank you families for just being you.

Elisa Solomon, Poet

Click here to see her video and learn more...

Elisa | Grade 10 | Mount Vernon High School | Alexandria, VA | U.S. Army

Wayne | Grade 12 | Heidelberg High School | Heidelberg, Germany | U.S. Army

Valeria | Grade 7 | Ramey School | Aguadilla, Puerto Rico | U.S. Customs & Border Patrol

Chaz | Grade 9 | Hohenfels Middle High School | Hohenfels, Germany | U.S. Army

Jailene | Grade 12 | Ramey School | Aguadilla, Puerto Rico | U.S. Customs & Border Patrol

Jocelyn | Grade 10 | Ramey School | Aguadilla, Puerto Rico | U.S. Drug Enforcement Association

Chloe | Grade 1 | Manor View Elementary School | Fort Meade, MD | U.S. Coast Guard

Sydney | Grade 7 | Rassieur Youth Center | Patuxent River, MD | U.S. Navy

When I look in the mirror...

When I look in the mirror...

I see my shell My soft brown eyes The chlorine bleached hair And the olive toned skin.

When I look in the mirror...

I see the athlete The swimmer, The reader,

And the do-it-yourself kind of girl

When I look in the mirror...

I see my family

The daughter of Suzanne and Greg The European features

But somehow not the Irish part of me.

When I look in the mirror...

I see who I really am The hidden tears The treasured smiles

And the girl who can accomplish anything!

Marina | Grade 8 | Boeblingen Middle School | Boeblingen, Germany | U.S. Navy

Karlinette | Grade 10 | Ramey School | Aguadilla, Puerto Rico | U.S. Customs & Border Patrol

Chris | Grade 9 | Hohenfels Middle High School | Hohenfels, Germany | U.S. Army

Jacqueline | Grade 8 | Rassieur Youth Center | Patuxent River, MD | U.S. Navy

Savannah | Grade 8 | Holloman Middle School | Holloman AFB, NM | U.S. Air Force

Brittany | Grade 12 | Hohenfels Middle High School | Hohenfels, Germany | U.S. Army

Onelis | Grade 6 | Ramey School | Moca, Puerto Rico | U.S. Customs & Border Patrol

Heather | Grade 12 | Patch American High School | Stuttgart, Germany | U.S. Air Force

Akira | Grade 4 | Wilson Elementary | Fort Benning, GA | U.S. Army

Adrian | Grade 3 | Clarence Galm Elementary | San Antonio, TX | U.S. Air Force

Micaila | Grade 5 | Wilson Elementary | Fort Benning, GA | U.S. Army

Drew | Carlisle Barracks Youth Art | Carlisle, PA | U.S. Army

Carolina | Grade 11 | Ramey School | Aguadilla, Puerto RIco | U.S. Air Force

Aubrey | Grade 4 | E. A. White School | Fort Benning, GA | U.S. Army

Morgan | Pre K | Home Schooled | Jacksonville, NC | U.S. Marines

Sean | Grade 10 | Patch High School | Vaihingen, Germany | U.S. Air Force

Brianna | Grade 6 | Netzaburg Middle School | Netzaburg, Germany | U.S. Army

Anna | Grade 5 | E.A. White Elementary | Fort Benning, GA | U.S. Army

Al | Grade 5 | Mcbride Elementary School | Fort Benning, GA | U.S. Army

Alexis | Grade 9 | Ramey School | Aguadilla, Puerto Rico | U.S. Coast Guard

Adrienne | Grade 4 | McBride Elementary | Fort Benning, GA | U.S. Army

Delaney | Grade 9 | Ramey School | Aguadilla, Puerto Rico | U.S. Coast Guard

Ethan | Grade 5 | E.A. White Elementary | Fort Benning, GA | U.S. Army

Sydney | Grade 4 | E. A. White School | Fort Benning, GA | U.S. Army

Francarlo | Grade 12 | Ramey School | Aguadilla, Puerto Rico | U.S. Coast Guard

Darby | Grade 4 | Ramey School | Carlisle Barracks Youth Art | Carlisle, PA | U.S. Army

Jenny | Grade 6 | Ramey School | Aguadilla, Puerto Rico | U.S. Department of Justice

Paula | Grade 7 | Ramey School | Aguadilla, Puerto Rico | U.S. Coast Guard

I wish I could...

I wish I could...

To sour among the clouds, To travel across the ocean blue And feel the wind pass by.

I wish I could...

Breathe under water.

Never having come up for air,

Forever explore the deepness and beauty,

To swim among the ocean creatures.

I wish I could...

Go back in time

And tell my friends I love them,

To undo the wrong I’ve dome,

To solve all of my troubles.

I wish I could...

Begin to know

How life will be.

To know all of my successes

And know all of my failures.

Marina | Grade 8 | Boeblingen Middle School | Boeblingen, Germay | U.S. Navy

Camille | Grade 5 | Ramey School | Aguadilla, Puerto Rico | U.S. National Guard & Reserve

Athena | Grade 2 | Clarence Galm Elementary | San Antonio, TX | U.S. National Guard & Reserve

Owen | Grade 5 | Carlisle Barracks Youth Art | Carlisle, PA | U.S. Army

Kaley | Grade 3 | McBride Elementary School | Fort Benning, GA | U.S. Army

Virginia | Grade 12 | Ramey School | Rincon, Puerto Rico | U.S. Customs & Border Patrol

CONTACT: Military Child Education Coalition 909 Mountain Lion Circle • Harker Heights, TX 76548 Office: (254) 953-1923 • Fax: (254) 953-1925 CFC # 10261

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ABOUT THE MILITARY CHILD EDUCATION COALITION The Military Child Education Coalition®, (MCEC®,) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, worldwide organization that identifies challenges facing the highly mobile military child, increases awareness of these challenges in military and education communities, and initiates and implements programs to meet the challenges. The MCEC focuses on all military installations, their supporting schools, concerned organizations, and caring individuals. For more information, please visit www.MilitaryChild.org.

“Military Child Education Coalition®,” “MCEC®” and associated trademarks and design elements are owned by the Military Child Education Coalition. ©2013 Military Child Education Coalition. All Rights Reserved