MacDill Father-son Airmen agree quality time most important thing

  • Published
  • By Nick Stubbs
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The influence and impact a father makes on the lives of his children is hard to overvalue, and so is the time children get to spend with dad.

Father's Day, Sunday, is the one day a year that the importance of that time is officially recognized, and dad is honored for all he does, and all he is. And what he is, particularly for the children of servicemen, is a role model, whose example provides a blueprint for life and the importance of duty.

The challenges can be great for military families, where time apart can be great, which is why there is a special emphasis on the "quality" of the time spent together.

Such is the case for Airman Christopher Martinez, stepson of Lt. Col. Michael Babyak, 6th Air Mobility Wing deputy director of staff. He has the fortune of sharing the same base with Airman Martinez, who works in Fuels Distribution with the 6th Logistics Readiness Squadron.

Both father and son consider it a blessing to be so close, an unusual situation in the military.

"I was very excited when I found out I would be here," said Airman Martinez, who complete basic training at the end of last year. "My family has been separated and spread around the country, so it's good to be so close; I can visit them on weekends and even during the week."

"It's nice to have him so close," said Colonel Babyak, who's stepson was 10 when he married into the family.

The two Airmen agree on something else: "The key to a good relationship is spending quality time together. It's particularly important for military families, as time apart is the rule, not the exception.

"The biggest thing is spending quality time, no matter what that is," said Colonel Babyak. "It could be just be a movie, or dinner."

Airman Martinez agreed, and making the time count is what matters.

"When we spend time together it could be anything, even if it is working around the house together, it's a time to bond," Airman Martinez said. "You take that time and make the best of it."

He thinks children, young and adult, should always recognize the importance of those moments. Airman Martinez said he is a way off from deciding about marrying and having children on his own, and is focused on "what I want to do with my life, and whether it will be the military," but added that becoming a dad himself one day "would be nice."