Gulf Coast Family

Despite the rising gas prices, the cost of inflation and all the wet weather we have had, this has been a wonderful summer for Ric and Donna Hauser and their kids, Vicky and Richard. You see, Ric is a Naval Reservist, and this past May, he came home from the Middle East after his second deployment.

The Hauser family was one of thousands of military families here in Florida who were left short-handed this past year while their family members fought in the Middle East. As Donna will tell you, it is tough to face the challenge of bringing up a family alone while a spouse is engaged in a war half-way across the world. However, as she will also tell you, she and her children were not alone. The Hausers were surrounded by a tremendous amount of local support, from friends, family and the community.

This June, we had the opportunity to sit down and talk with the Hauser family. The following are some excerpts from our interview that we hope will encourage you to support our military families.

GCF: What was the hardest aspect of being separated from each other this past year?

Donna: For me, it was hard not being able to communicate or see one another on a daily basis and the holidays were extremely tough. But to say there was one hardest moment would be impossible for me, because every day spent apart was hard for someone in our family in some way. I know that there wasn’t a day that went by that my kids didn’t say, “I wish dad were here so I could tell him, show him, hug him…..I really miss dad!”

GCF: Can you explain how the community helped and encouraged you throughout the past year?

Donna: As in Ric’s first deployment, we sent care packages to Ric and his friends. However this year I was so honored and blessed that the children, parents, and staff of Pinellas Preparatory Academy where I work rallied together to donate endless amounts of food and supplies.

Bob and Marie Wrigley, grandparents from the school also arranged for the local Seminole VFW Post 9272 to pay for all of the postage and Ric’s supervisor at Lockheed Martin, Nancy King, was also a tremendous help. There were also countless neighbors, friends, and family members, not to mention all of the parents, children, teachers, coaches and co-workers from Pinellas Prep who were always offering their help, support and assistance. I truly believe that I would not have made it through this last deployment if it were not for the love, support, and genuine concern that was offered to our family.

GCF: Tell us about Ric’s home coming?

Donna: Steve Tye, a retired Navy officer who works at Pinellas Preparatory, worked quickly with some of the classes practicing their solutes and standing at attention. The children were lined up in lines on the left and right of the entry way to create a walk way for Ric. When Ric came through they were all saluting and waving flags. Ric proudly passed through and saluted them back. When Ric came to Richards’s class room, Richard came right to his dad and gave him a big hug. Many teachers, students, and friends who were there were teary-eyed and emotional. Bay News 9 also was there, which helped to make it special.

GCF: If you could give any advice to another military family where the spouse was going overseas, what would you say?

Hausers: Make sure you write daily, because every card is meaningful to the men and women over seas that cannot be with their family. Stay positive and surround yourself with family and friends because they truly are your biggest strength. Try to keep your family routine as much the same as possible, especially if there are young children involved. And no matter what, always support the troops, because they are part of what make up our great country.