Osan family exercises 'Option of adoption'

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Sean Stevenson
  • 607th Air and Space Operations Center
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  The "Year of the Air Force Family" is an initiative focused on enhancing the support and care provided to those who firmly stand behind our Airmen on a daily basis. For one Air Force family stationed at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, the focus of the Year of the Air Force Family has expanded. It's about having an even greater impact by meeting the needs of others through the 'Option of adoption.'

Earlier this month, Col. John Marselus, 607th Air and Space Operations Center Commander, and his wife Kim traveled to Addis Adaba, Ethiopia, where they picked up their newest son Caleb, a five-year old orphan whom they had just adopted.

"The adoption process took about two years, but in reality this journey started well over two decades ago," said Colonel Marselus. Their trip to Ethiopia opened yet another opportunity; the opportunity to meet face-to-face with one of the many children they had sponsored worldwide for almost three decades.

As a cadet at the U.S. Air Force Academy, the colonel started sponsoring needy children across the globe. The Marselus family was able to provide food, clothing and school supplies for dozens of children over the past 27 years. One of the children they sponsored was an Ethiopian girl named Meseret. "We first started sponsoring Meseret about a decade ago when she was only eight-years old," said Colonel Marselus. "Here was this poor little girl, literally living on the other side of the planet in an environment we couldn't even begin to comprehend, and we were getting these touching letters from her thanking us and telling about the difference our involvement was having in her life."

After 25 years of sponsorship of multiple children, the Marselus family decided it was time to have an even greater impact on a needy child. It was at that point they decided to pursue 'The option of adoption.'

"Sponsoring needy children like Meseret is great, but we were convicted to see if there was a child who needed a family," said Colonel Marselus. "We strongly felt that the right thing to do was provide an orphaned little boy or girl the love and nurturing they so desperately deserve."

After contacting an adoption agency and beginning the adoption process, the Marselus family was pleasantly surprised to discover the many programs and benefits the Air Force has in place to support adoptive parents. The National Defense Authorization Act provides for reimbursement of up to $2,000 of expenses per adoption with a maximum of $5,000 reimbursement per year. Additionally, AFI 36-3003, Military Leave Program, allows upwards of 21 days of permissive TDY for travel associated with qualified adoptions.

"These are exactly the types of benefits needed for Airmen who are pursuing adoption,
said Colonel Marselus. "We are extremely pleased to see this commitment from the USAF to help anyone who would pursue this option."

While in Ethiopia finalizing the adoption of their new son, Colonel and Mrs. Marselus were able to meet Meseret, the girl they started sponsoring 10 years prior. "It was an incredible experience getting to finally meet this amazing young lady who has changed our lives in so many ways" said the Colonel. "We were able to celebrate her 18th birthday with her and were quite impressed with her and how well she was thriving in such an impoverished environment. Sponsorship had obviously had a positive impact as she recently completed high school and now has her eyes on becoming a doctor."

Reflecting on the whirlwind of emotional and life-changing events over the past few weeks, the Marselus family gives the Air Force great credit for their successful adoption of Caleb.

"Beyond the financial support and permissive TDY time provided by our Air Force, several on-base agencies such as the Chapel, Airmen and Family Readiness Center, the Military Personnel Section and Medical Group have been amazing in helping Caleb transition from being an impoverished orphan into a healthy, cared-for and truly happy Air Force dependent," said the Colonel. "Without a doubt traveling to Ethiopia, meeting Meseret and having Caleb become a part of our family was the adventure of a lifetime."