Courtesy Photo | Army 1st Lt. Maimie Sparacino (center) spends quality time with her mother, Cynthia,...... read more read more
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Parents want what’s best for their children even during times of war and the military provides a way for them to experience adventure, camaraderie, and patriotism.
The Sparacino Family consists of 11 children, seven of which have served in the military; specifically the Army, Air Force and Marine Corps. Army 1st Lt. Mamie Sparacino currently serves as a liaison officer with the 553rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, and is the only one of the seven to serve her country as a commissioned officer.
When Mamie graduated from high school she wanted to attend college but did not have a way to pay for the expensive tuition fees. Her oldest sister, Angela, who Mamie said is like a second mother to her, suggested that she look into the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Creighton University in Nebraska.
“I always thought about the military as an option. Ever since I was in 7th grade I would dress up in military uniforms for Halloween or career day, so commissioning into the Army after completing my education, and using the ROTC program to pay for my college was exciting for me,” said Mamie, a Cypress, Texas, native.
Even though several members of her family had already served at the time of Mamie’s swear in, she became the first officer and was saluted for the first time by her oldest sister Angela, who guided her through her college years.
As a platoon leader with the 553rd CSSB, 4th Resolute Support Sustainment Brigade, Mamie has had several platoons under her command and said she has enjoyed the hard work and structure of the military. Something she accredits to the way she and her siblings were raised.
Mamie said her father Donald raised his children in a military manner. He made sure they were always on time and demonstrated that hard work pays off. She added that her father is also the one who inspires her, and is largely responsible for providing drive and determination to achieve her goals.
“My father never gave us anything. We had to work for everything and that lesson carried on into my military career - to work hard and give your best efforts no matter what you do,” said Mamie.
When Mamie received orders to deploy to Afghanistan, she realized that she would be going to the same airfield that her two other sisters deployed to, meaning three Sparacino children have served at BAF for three consecutive years.
“My sister Lorraine was a technical sergeant in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at BAF in 2011, and my youngest sister Ashby was a specialist and a parachute rigger stationed at BAF from 2012 to 2013,” said Mamie. “I feel like this is where I need to be. It is hard to explain but my sisters have been here (BAF) and now it is my turn to serve my country and understand more of what they had experienced.”
Mamie is unsure whether or not she is going to continue her career in the military, but she said that her family’s service to their country has drawn their entire family closure together and made their large family proud of their military service.
“It is a very rewarding feeling as a parent to have had so many of my children serve in our great Nations military and I have my flag proudly hanging out in my front yard,” said Donald Sparacino.
| Date Taken: | 10.11.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 10.16.2014 03:55 |
| Story ID: | 145175 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TX, US |
| Hometown: | CYPRESS, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 374 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Patriotism: A family of service, by SFC Chris Bridson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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