Hi. My name is Catherine Josephine Jesch Wright. I graduated from Fort Knox High School in 1973. I married my husband, Russell Wright, on Feb. 7, 1975. From that day and until some day in the distant future, I will live in the same place. Our daughter has never moved. She has roots. A place to call home, friends she has had since being a toddler. I never thought much about this until I realized how settled and comfortable it is to always reside in the same community. Even though, we have no close relatives here we still are a part of a farming community. I am very active within this community.

Some of the values I learned as a "military brat" still are important to me today. First, I never was very linked to buildings, however, as a member of a rural farming community I have discovered many people are attached to buildings in disrepair. As a "military brat" people were always the most important to me and not material items, I still go by this today.

Second, I learned as a "military brat" to like and care for everyone regardless of beliefs, creed, or race. I have passed this value on to my daughter, and hopefully the students I teach see this in the way I treat all students equally. Third, I remember what it was like to be the new kid in school and how lonely and out of place I felt.

I was always appreciative of those who went out of their way to make me feel welcomed. THIS WAS A GREAT LESSON, SINCE WE MOVED SO OFTEN. Today, in my classes I know how the new student feels who comes into an established community school and does not know anyone. I make sure that I introduce that child to someone who will take him/her in so the child feels accepted. Being accepted by one's peers is one of the most important concerns for children in today's society.

Many of the events of my life, the places I have lived, and the people I have met cannot be understood by people who have always lived in the same community. My daughter is one of those who have always lived in the same community. Even though I think stability is important, as a "military brat" I would not have changed my life for that stability.

The lessons and values that I have carried with me throughout my life are a result of who I was as a "military brat."

Catherine Jesch Wright - "Military Brat" from 1955-1975.