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Eglin mom of seven continues military family tradition

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Martie Moore
  • 506th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
KIRKUK REGIONAL AB, Iraq --  She was a 45 year-old married, stay-at-home mom of seven children and caring for an elderly uncle. Living in South Berwick, Maine -- her life was content.

Flash forward three years and she is a captain in the U.S. Air Force working as a trauma nurse at Kirkuk Regional Air Base, Iraq.

"If you would have told me I would be doing this, five years ago I would have thought you were crazy," said Capt. Dawn Clauson, 506th Expeditionary Medical Squadron. Captain Clauson is deployed from the 96th Medical Group, Eglin AFB, Fla.

What drove the home-schooling mom and nurse to turn to the military was simply family tradition. Her grandfather, George Howell entered the Air Force in 1946 at the end of WWII and retired from the Air Force after 20 years. She said her grandfather invited an Airman over for dinner one Sunday a traditional event that happened then.

"That Airman ran off with my grandfather's daughter," she laughed.

That Airman became Captain Clauson's father. He served four years in the Air Force.
She, in-turn also married into the Air Force.

"My husband and I are firm believers that everyone should serve their country - even if it's for just four years," she said.

Their children have taken this belief to heart and have served or are currently serving in the Air Force. Daniel, 29, was in the Air Force for six years as a KC10 crew chief.
Erik, 25, accepted a scholarship through the Health Professions Scholarship Program to and is working to become an Air Force doctor. Christopher, 23, is serving his sixth year in the Air Force as an intelligence analyst. Wade, 21, would like to serve but is not medically eligible.David, 16, wants to go to the Air Force Academy.  Joseph, 13, wants to join the Marines. Lillie, 11, their only daughter still has plenty of time to think about her future and whether she will follow in her mother's footsteps.

Although joining the military at an age where many people are retiring, Capt. Clauson has no regrets.

"I feel like it's an honor and that I have a lot to give as far as knowledge and experience," she said.

However, as a nurse manager in the pediatric department back home, the captain is experiencing a new kind of medical care in a deployed environment.

"I've never worked trauma before," she said. "I'm seeing gun-shot wounds and amputations. That's been an adjustment, but it's exciting."

Her stay-at-home mom friends back in Maine don't think she is crazy for joining the military -- they think she's a hero.

"I guess I sort of look like a hero when there's a trauma going on," Capt. Clauson concluded.