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From Freedom Fighters to Fathers and Mothers
Adoption and the Military By Alina Kelly
Ethnic diversity, family structure and the family support services provided by the military are among the key benefits of placing children with military families. "Military families live in a truly integrated society," says van de Flier Davis. "There is an immediate community to accept the child, and military communities are more willing to accept differences." Accepting new people is natural in the military, where moving from base to base is a way of life.
"When Loring Air Force Base was opened in northern Maine, we placed many children with military families and found them to be the most accepting of older and different race children," says Dawn C. Degenhardt, chief executive officer at the Maine Adoption Placement Service in Houlton, Maine.
According to van de Flier Davis, of the 130,000 children in the United States waiting for adoption, more than half are from families of color. On a military base, 32 percent are families of color. "The military family is made up of people of every nationality, and no matter where you are, your kids are sure to have someone in their neighborhood or base that looks like them," says Hernandez.
Among the more tangible benefits of military adoption are the many benefits the military provides to families such as medical benefits and family support services. In addition, the United States Department of Defense will reimburse up to $2,000 per child (or up to $5,000 per year) for qualifying expenses related to a military adoption arranged by a qualified adoption agency.
Whether an adoption is civilian or military, success is often contingent on having a strong support group. The military provides an advantage to adopting families by being an instant community that is naturally accepting of newcomers. How lucky for both the adopted children and their families.
