Freedom Is Introduction 2022

What does freedom mean to you? Follow along each month as we share special stories about the children of our country’s heroes and what freedom means to them.

The Theusch Family

The Theusch Family knows how special freedom truly is! The Theusch children are so proud of their mom for all of her sacrifices, and they are always awaiting her arrival back home. Together, the family likes to play sports together, such as volleyball, basketball and karate, and go on family vacations. They also spend time together at the zoo or nearby parks. 

The Putzke Family

To the Putzke family, freedom is... awesome! It's the reason Mrs. Putzke serves and drives two hours every day to her station with the Air National Guard, sacrificing time with her beautiful family. But the time apart makes their family cherish their time together even more. Like many Midwestern families, the Putzkes love to farm, fish, hunt, hike and four-wheel together. They also enjoy volunteering with other military families and participating in Berlin, Wisconsin's Memorial Day parade.

The Settles Family

The Settles have been a military family for over 20 years, and active duty in the United States Army for 18 years. Mr. Settles is currently stationed in Sparta, WI. He and his daughters love watching football together, playing outdoors sports, cooking and going to concerts. As part of their service as a military family, they have moved several times. Their home bases include Indiana, Hawaii, Tennessee and Arizona.

The Towolawi Family

Balenda Towolawi and her son Omobamidele are from El Paso, TX. The Towolawi family loves watching movies, going for rides and serving the Lord. Balenda and her husband both served in the Army National Guard. Balenda is currently retired after serving Army Sergeant First Class, and her husband is currently serving a Sergeant Major.

The Harcrow Family

Jason and Melissa Harcrow and their children, Maya and Austin, are from El Paso, TX. They love playing board games, video games, and spending time with their dogs. Jason is approaching 19 years of service in the Army and is currently deployed in Korea. Melissa served for 12 years. Collectively, Jason and Melissa have been deployed nine times.

The Merry Family

The Merrys have been a military family for 20 years. Mr. Merry is currently serving with the Army National Guard at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin. During this time, he has been on three deployments and multiple state active duty. The Merry family loves to spend time together hiking, walking, four-wheeling and playing hockey. They also love to volunteer together and help other military families.

The Lopez Family

The Lopez family lives in El Paso, TX. Ricardo is currently serving with the Army. His first deployment came shortly after receiving news he would be expecting his first child, and has been deployed two more times since then. When Ricardo is home, the family enjoys going out to eat and to the movies. They also love staying active and being outside (fishing, camping, etc.).

The Gallucci Family

The Gallucci Family is proud to be a military family! They love getting to travel, meeting new people and exploring new places as a family. When their dad comes home, the Gallucci kids can't wait to give him a giant hug at the door. In their free time, the Gullucci's like to play sports, including archery, snow tubing, tag, and other games. 

The Jones Family

The Colley Family

The Jones brothers credit their closeness to their military upbringing. Their parents, Alvin Sr. And Vurgess, served in the military for 56 combined years. Aaron and Alvin Jr. leaned on each other and their extended family when their parents were both deployed to Iraq at the same time.

The Colley Family recently moved to San Antonio, Texas. Mrs. Colley is in the U.S. Army Reserve and met her late husband during officer training. He died by suicide in 2017 after 20 years of service. Mrs. Colley and her daughters miss him dearly. They love hiking together, going to theme parks, traveling to new places, and on lazy days, they enjoy playing board games and watching movies.

The tradition of military service runs deep in the Stanley Family and so does their love for the Green Bay Packers. Mr. and Mrs. Stanley have 54 combined years of service, and their family loves watching the Packers WIN. Hear from their kids about what it's like being in a family that has served our country for five generations.

The Kramer Family lives in West Bend, Wisconsin. Mr. Kramer is a UH-60 Instructor Pilot with the Wisconsin Army National Guard. His most recent deployment was to the Middle East in July 2020. When he is home, the family loves watching the Green Bay Packers, and biking and hiking outside together.

The Wallace Family

The Snow Family

The Wallace Family lives in Deerfield, Wisconsin. Mr. Wallace has served in the Wisconsin Army National Guard for 14 years and has done deployments and training in Germany, Iraq and Dubi. When he is home, the family loves to camp, fish, play baseball and spend as much time together as possible.

The Snow Family lives in El Paso, Texas. Mr. Snow has been in the U.S. Army for 12 years and is currently serving overseas. His eldest daughter shares how even though she misses her dad and is sometimes afraid, she is proud of him for ‘saving the world.