Photo By Sgt. Melissa Lessard | Mrs. Charmaine Nunnally sits in during a meeting at the 504th Military Intelligence...... read more read more
By Sgt. Melissa N. Lessard, 504th Military Intelligence Brigade Public Affairs
(FORT HOOD, Texas, November 19, 2018)—“I think sacrifice for the Army, if we are looking from the family perspective, my children do not have the same experiences as a regular family,” said Maj. Joshua Nunnally, 163rd Military Intelligence Battalion, executive officer. “For us, we constantly move to new duty stations so we do not have the same chance to grow those roots. It is my hope that that’s not lost as they grow up and they understand that it’s not because we did it purposely. It is service to the nation.”
Nunnally and his wife Charmaine have been married for 14 years and have four children. Nyan (13), Aiyanna (11), Noah and Josiah (6). They have been stationed in various locations from Fort Bragg, N.C., Fort Knox, Kentucky, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, and Fort Hood, Texas.
This is a family who has continuously demonstrated their service, dedication and willingness to make great sacrifices in support of Soldiers, our Army and the nation.
The Nunnally’s met in 2004 when they attended Army Initial Training together, for what is now known as 42A, Human Resources, said Joshua Nunnally. From there they continued their relationship and eventually got married.
The hardest part, in the beginning, was when their first daughter was born, Nyan.
“Joshua left four days before Nyan was born,” said Charmaine.
The Army would not release him from deployment until there was a live birth, she said. He came back after she was born and was back to deployment four days later. He was able to visit mid tour and upon return from deployment.
During the first deployment she had family to help out, she said.
Charmaine said that her husband has been on five deployments since he has joined the Army.
“Over the past 15 years I have spent 58 months deployed…,” said Nunnally. “That’s a third of my oldest daughter’s life that I have been away; that’s time we have lost and will not get back with my family. Time and growing family are the two biggest sacrifices that service members donate on behalf of themselves to service in the Army.”
Nunnally said that his father was in the Navy. Each time he went on deployment Nunnally knew that he wasn’t leaving the family, but it was to serve a greater cause to the nation.
“That is the same message we want to give to our children,” he said.
Serving is not only sacrificing but it is also the experience.
“You’re exposed to multiple experiences, whether it’s moving, different areas, different people, different walks of life,” said Nunnaly. “You can get country life or city life. There is always something new.”
Charmaine said she would not change out of this life.
“I enjoy the exposure it gives our kids,” she said. “They have seen things I could only have dreamed of at their age.”
While Charmaine has demonstrated a willingness to sacrifice for the Army, she also gives back to the Army through her community service.
She currently has many positions from Vice President of Operations for Santa’s Workshop, Library Liaison at Skipcha Elementary, Adviser for the 504th Military Intelligence Brigade Family Readiness group, Awana youth leader, collecting box tops for school, amazing wife, and rock star mom.
Her days start off pretty busy at home, she said. She gets her four children ready for school and then they are off to school for the day. Afterwards she spends her time serving her community.
“It’s something outside for myself,” she said. “Outside of my husband and kids.”
Being a military family may be hard at times from multiple moves, children attending multiple schools, and meeting new people again.
“We’ve met lifelong friend,” said Nunnally.
“This life is what you make of it,” said Charmaine. “We choose to make it work for us.”
| Date Taken: | 11.20.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 11.20.2018 10:17 |
| Story ID: | 300659 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 69 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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