The military is one of the topics people tend to hear about quite often. When talking about the topic, most people will talk about the troops, but what about the families at home? How does this affect them?

Local recruiter Staff Sergeant Matthew Michaelis of the United States Army said, "The decision of a teenager to be in the military affects their families a lot since it’s normally always the teenager’s decision, and parents don’t always support the decision either."

STUDENT PERSPECTIVE 

Shores senior Nick Yadlosky decided last year to join the Army National Guard.

"For me, joining was a spur of the moment thing that I ended up deciding was right for me," Yadlosky said.

Yadlosky’s decision to join that day did not only affect him; it also affected his entire family.

"Nick was gone over the summer for basic training, and it was terrible for me, but I got through it though knowing he would be coming home soon. But I’m not sure how I’ll deal with him leaving for an even longer time," said Mari Yadlosky, Nick’s mom.

The reaction of a family on another family member joining will normally depend on whether or not someone else in the family has previously been in the service or not.

"At first, I immediately said no. I said I would not sign the papers at all because I was just so scared of what could happen," Mari Yadlosky said.

Nick’s decision will affect him, but in the end, the people at home will be affected also.

"In the end, I’m happy I signed the papers. I’m very proud of Nick. In my eyes, Nick is already a hero," Mari Yadlosky said.

SIBLING PERSPECTIVE

Zachery Hollman, a North Muskegon graduate and sibling of Shores sophomore Hannah Hardy and freshman Joey Hardy, is currently serving as a Marine overseas.

"It makes me really scared that my brother might not come home, especially since you never know what could happen over seas," Hannah Hardy said.

Hollman enrolled two years ago and has been in Iraq for close to 16 months now.

"We all really miss him and can’t wait till he comes back," Joey Hardy said.

 FAMILY PERSPECTIVE

Derek Wyler, a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force and brother-in-law of Shores office clerk Carri Skocelas, has been in the service for 17 years and is currently stationed at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Va.

"It’s been tough being gone, and my family has lots of support, but it will always be difficult having a young kids at home," Wyler said.

Wyler flies a F-15 in the Air Force and constantly has his family at home to think about, while in the air.

"The first time I deployed, I didn’t have kids, so now when I leave. I’m always really sad to leave my family," Wyler said.

The Air Force has provided Wyler with life experiences and memories he never would have had before, and most people will not ever experience.

"Being in the Air Force has allowed me to see things I otherwise would not have been able to see," Wyler said. "Just the feeling of being shot at for the first time was really exciting, and in the end, all of the other pilots laughed at me for how I reacted while in the plane."

Wyler’s life style makes his family special, and with him being gone makes him special also.

"Serving gives me the sense of accomplishment of being able to serve my country, and every time I go away and come back, it makes my family much stronger as a whole," Wyler said.