Curtis and Breann Shockey

My opportunity to sit down with Curtis and Breann Shockey for this issue was a moment I won’t soon forget. They’ve got many of the themes I’ve become accustomed to as I’ve held these conversations with young people—a love of friendship, interest in sports, reading, and they both have favorite teachers—but it was their empathetic view on life that moved me. I shared their stories with my own children when I got home. It made quite an impact on them and I suspect both Breann and Curtis will continue to surprise with their ‘wise beyond their years’ take on life.

Curtis, a seventh grader, and Breann, who is in fourth grade, are not just typical siblings navigating the challenges of school life—they are also the proud children of a man who served in the U.S. Army, a service they hold in high regard. While their father doesn’t speak much about his time in the military, his quiet strength and sacrifice have clearly left a lasting impression on his children.

Curtis speaks with a mixture of pride and humility when discussing his father. “He saved the world, I’m gonna say,” Curtis remarks, his tone both serious and full of admiration. For a boy who loves math and football, and who recently had to give up his favorite sport, hockey, after moving from Granite City back to Vandalia, the notion of his father as a hero is a powerful one. It’s clear that his father’s service has shaped his view of what it means to be strong and selfless.

Breann, who shares her brother’s love for math and soccer, also holds her father’s service in high regard, though she is more reserved in her expressions. When asked why she is proud of her dad, Breann’s simple yet profound response is, “Because he served.” It’s a statement that captures the essence of how deeply their father’s military background influences their lives, even if they don’t have all the details.

Their father’s service, however, is more than just a distant memory or a badge of honor. It’s a living legacy, influencing the way Curtis and Breann approach their own lives and futures. Curtis dreams of attending college, with an interest in studying law enforcement or social justice—a path that echoes his father’s dedication to service and protection. Breann, on the other hand, is still exploring her interests, but her love for soccer hints at a future where she might continue to foster teamwork and discipline, values she likely inherited from her dad.

Their father’s military service was not without its difficulties. The siblings share, with some hesitance, the story of their father’s friend who lost his life in the line of duty—a loss that weighs heavily on their father and is perhaps why he doesn’t speak much about his time in the Army. Curtis mentions that this friend was killed by a landmine, a tragic event that their father witnessed. This experience, undoubtedly traumatic, is a stark reminder of the realities of military service, and it’s clear that their father’s sacrifice extends beyond his active duty to the emotional scars he carries.

Despite these challenges, the Shockey siblings have found ways to honor their father’s legacy in their own lives. Curtis, with his quick wit and love for making people laugh, brings a lightness to his interactions that balances the seriousness of his ambitions. Whether it’s playing football or joking with friends, Curtis embodies a spirit of resilience and optimism—a trait that will serve him well as he pursues his goals.

Breann, with her quiet strength and determination, mirrors her brother’s resilience. Her favorite class, math, might just be the beginning of a future where she, too, makes a difference, whether on the soccer field or in another capacity that allows her to contribute positively to the community.

As the Shockey siblings continue their education at Vandalia Schools, they carry with them the lessons imparted by their father—lessons of service, sacrifice, and the importance of supporting one another. While they may not fully understand the weight of their father’s experiences, it’s clear that his influence has shaped their aspirations and the way they see the world.

Here in Vandalia, where community and family ties run deep, the Shockey siblings are a reminder of the quiet strength that comes from growing up in a family where service is not just an abstract concept, but a lived experience. Curtis and Breann are poised to carry forward their father’s legacy in their own unique ways, making their community proud as they do so.