Camdyn Meadows and Reed Gathe

For Camdyn Meadows and Reed Gathe, their connection to the military isn’t just something they read about in history class— it’s something deeply personal. Both in third grade, Camdyn and Reed have a shared bond that goes beyond friendship. Each of them has a parent who served in the Army, and they wear that connection with pride.

Camdyn’s father, Mark Meadows, served in the Army and completed his active duty at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. “After high school, my dad went straight into the military,” Camdyn shares, reading from notes she brought to the interview. As Camdyn lists the details—basic training at Fort Sill, a permanent duty station in Germany, and a deployment to Afghanistan—it’s clear that her father’s service has left a lasting impression on her.

“I’m proud of him,” Camdyn says with a shy smile. But while her father’s military service is a source of pride, it’s not the only thing Camdyn loves about him. “He’s funny,” she adds. “When I need a laugh, he stares into my eyes, and it makes me laugh.”

Reed, sitting next to Camdyn, listens closely. He, too, has a story to tell about his father’s service. Reed’s dad, Trevor Gathe, also served in the Army and spent time deployed in Afghanistan. But for Reed, it’s not just the big details of his dad’s service that stand out—it’s the conversations they share. “I like to talk to him about it,” Reed says. “I ask him questions, like how many times he got shot at or where he was at the time.”

Reed’s curiosity about his father’s experiences goes deep. He’s eager to understand what it was like for his dad in Afghanistan, a place far away and filled with stories of bravery and challenge. “They got blown up in a truck,” Reed says quietly, recalling one of the stories his dad shared with him. “The truck flipped over, and the gunner didn’t make it.”

That gunner, Scott, left a profound impact on Reed’s family. Reed’s middle name is Scott, given to honor the memory of his father’s fallen comrade. It’s a connection that ties Reed to a story of sacrifice, bravery, and camaraderie. “I got my middle name from him,” Reed says. And it’s clear that, even at such a young age, Reed understands the weight of that legacy.

For both Camdyn and Reed, their fathers’ military service isn’t just something from the past—it’s a part of who they are. They speak with quiet pride about the men who kept them safe, the men who served not just their country, but their families. It’s clear that Mark and Trevor’s service has left a lasting impact, not just on them, but on their children.

Camdyn and Reed’s connection to the military doesn’t stop with their fathers. Their own curiosity about the world and their admiration for the bravery it takes to serve have sparked a sense of possibility for the future. “I think it would be a cool thing to do,” Reed says when asked if he’s ever thought about joining the military himself. “Not for the shooting, but to see the world, meet other people, and use the machinery.”

Camdyn, too, nods when asked about the possibility of one day following in her father’s footsteps. “Yeah,” she says, considering the idea of serving her country. But for now, both Camdyn and Reed are content with playing catch with their dads and spending time enjoying the everyday moments that make their relationships special.

As the interview wraps up, it’s clear that these two children carry more than just pride for their parents. They carry the values instilled in them through their fathers’ service—values of bravery, dedication, and love for their country. And while they’re still young, it’s evident that they’re already thinking about how they, too, can make the world a better place.

For the community of Vandalia, Camdyn and Reed’s stories are a reminder of the sacrifices made by military families and the pride that comes with serving one’s country. And for these two young children, having a father who served isn’t just part of their history—it’s part of their identity.