By: Hollie Hojek
hhojek@kcautv.com
Nowadays it's hard for any family to find time to sit down and enjoy a nice meal together, especially if you have a loved one in the military, but that is not the case for families at the Military Retreat in Milford.
The Bolton family drove four hours, from Bellevue Nebraska to Milford Iowa, just so they could sit down and enjoy a nice meal together as a family. Chris has been in the military for 15 years. He got deployed in February of 2004, just one month after finding out him and his wife we're having their first child.
"The worst part about being gone is knowing you're not there to take care of her and take care of the family and she's bearing the responsibility and burden of having to do everything while you're not around," says Chris Bolton.
So when dad is around, the Bolton's likes to make the most of it. So they came to Milford Iowa for the 2nd Annual Military Retreat. It's a time and place where military families can share stories and connect with others in the military. Six families attended this year... with a total of 13 kids running round.
"You know it's one thing to be at home, during the week doing all your stuff , but this allows us, this is for us. Its really great," says Dawn Bolton.
The Bolton's say it's the uncertainty of not knowing when Chris will be deployed next that makes them appreciate the little moments like this one.
"Its fun to see them experience things for the first time, and watch them have fun with other kids," says Chris.
"That's why I'm taking multiple dozen pictures. Doing little family stuff that just means a lot because there will be a time where it's gone from 6–months to 18–months," says Dawn.
The Bolton's said they would surely make the four hour drive again next year, as long as dad is not deployed.
