My first impression of Kiylei was...what a little red-headed spit fire. (in a good way) Kiylei and I soon become best buddies, doing all sorts of fun activities together. Our favorite was dancing around the living room to "I'm A Real Wild Child", from PRETTY WOMAN! It was kinda Kiylie's theme song. :)
In 2008, Kiylei moved back to Montana along with her mom and brother. Her dad moved to Fort Campbell, KY. This would be her first experience of being separated from him. Since then, Kiylei has seen her Dad through not one, but two deployments. She has said goodbye for more TDY trips, training exercises, and Army schools that she cares to, or can count. Her Mom and brother provided her with the stability and the sense of security she needed during these times when the Army called her dad to duty. When I asked Kiylei what it meant to her to have grown up an Army Brat she said, "Being an Army Brat has given her experiences, structure and a perspective on life she would not have had otherwise."
Now, you might be thinking, she is a little old to be considered a "Little" Hero. Just keep reading and you will see why she is this months feature. Kiylei has watched her mom stand beside her dad with great strength and support as he grew in the ranks as an Enlisted Soldier and then stood in support again when he attend OCS to become an officer. Seeing her father's growth as an American Soldier, her mother's strength, and with the support of her brother, Kiylie had the inspiration and guidance she needed to stand before her father, raise her right hand and take the oath to go become and American Soldier herself. Kiylie says, " Taking that oath makes her part of something honorable. It means taking on a challenge and becoming part of something much bigger than yourself." Kiylei will always be My Little Hero, but now she gets to be her Countries Hero!
I'm sure her Mom and Dad would agree!
Kiylei being sworn into the Army by her father, 1LT Mike Fortune.
