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When House of Raeford Farms FLOCK honored a Camp Corral military family at the 2023 Carolinas Classic All-Star Basketball Games last March, we never imagined we would connect with such wonderful people. As part of FLOCK’s recognition, the Bartlett family received an all-expenses paid Disney Cruise adventure.
Meet the Bartlett clan. Jason is a former chief of a Field Artillery Cannon Crew in the U. S. Army and medically discharged in 2018. He served 12 years including tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. He grew up in a military family, as did his wife Teresa. Therefore, they both had an idea of what their personal lives would be like when one spouse is dedicated to serving his country.
Teresa shared that military life is difficult but also rewarding. Her family had to be self-reliant in many ways. While stationed in Germany, she was part of a family care team supporting other military wives and children coping with unfortunate wartime circumstances.
The Bartletts have six children, including teenagers Malachi and Serenity still living in the home. Both have attended Camp Corral summer camps, dedicated to transforming the lives of children of wounded, ill, and fallen military heroes. Malachi has aged out of the camp experience but Serenity went to Camp Weaver in Greensboro again this summer. Both children have lofty goals for their lives. Malachi wants to pursue a career as an astrophysicist, while Serenity has her eyes set on working with animals to understand why they behave in certain ways and what prompts behavior change.
The Bartlett’s Disney cruise began in late July with a flight in the House of Raeford corporate plane to Titusville, Florida where they boarded the Disney Wish ship at Port Canaveral. Port calls at Nassau, Bahamas and Disney’s own Castaway Cay, together with an array of exciting on board activities, provided for a relaxing and entertaining escape.
“We all had so much fun and the kids discovered they really love snorkeling,” Teresa commented. “Serenity was so proud she was able to swim all the way out to see the underwater statues, and Jason said he never felt more at peace. Malachi surprised us all by signing up to sing karaoke as a family. Honestly, it truly made my heart so happy to see my family blossom in this way. It was a dream and we are so thankful.”
This story beats at the heart of FLOCK’s mission. “It has been truly a pleasure to get to know the Bartlett Family,” said Dave Witter, FLOCK board member. “Understanding the sacrifices this family and other military families make every day, makes us appreciate even more their service to our nation. With the Bartletts, we have established a lifetime friendship.”
