My Dad is a Marine by Kimberly Coe

"We are the silent ranks - the family"

My Dad is a Marine is about one family, but it's a universal story. Although it's written with children in mind, anyone who has a loved one who is deployed will relate to and appreciate this book.

As author Kimberly Coe writes, "This book is to help the children of the Marine Corps learn a little about what their dads or moms do, as well as the similar adjustments and feelings the children themselves will go through."

My Dad is a Marine both explains life in a Marine family to "civilians" — it includes, for example, a "Military to Civilian Dictionary" — and helps other Marine families, talking openly about some of the issues military families have to face. Sudden upheaval is a huge part of Marine life, as is the pain of missing someone who is away.

Told from the viewpoint of Coe's young daughter, My Dad is a Marine shares the ways in which the Coe family copes when their Marine is deployed away from home. They always try to include him in any way they can, even though he isn't with them in person: they send him care packages and letters and photos. They also keep the home fires burning by visiting with other military families and taking part in Support the Troops rallies.

Of course, everyone has their bad days, too. There are times when Kimberly Coe's daughter wants her dad, not her mom. Her mom always tells her that when her dad is away, he will come home as soon as he is able to. She doesn't always like this answer, but knows it's the truth, so eventually she accepts it. Sometimes it helps to talk to her mom; sometimes she just wants to be alone.They always discuss it and soon she's playing and laughing again. Stories like these will help children of military families realize that separation is often part of military life.

Kimberly Coe's family has had to overcome struggles and hardships, these struggles are outweighed by the love and joy they've had, too.And they just can't imagine life without the Marine Corps.

My Dad is a Marine

by Kimberly Coe

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"We are the silent ranks - the family"