Staff Sgt. Jorge Roman with 24th Ordnance Company, 87th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, has spent his life being a good example to his loved ones and his community.
He’s been a soldier for 16 years, served several tours in Iraq and even served as a civilian police officer. He takes care of his soldiers, his wife, Priscilla, and their three daughters, Issabelle, 9, Alisa, 8, and baby Christina, whom they welcomed May 4.
Now Roman is now one of four finalists for the 2013 Military Fatherhood Award sponsored by the National Fatherhood Initiative. Each nominee represents their branch of service. Ramon is representing the Army and has gotten attention from HLN’s Morning Express with Robin Meade.
None of this would have happened if his biggest fan, his wife, hadn’t insisted that not only was Roman a special father, but that others should know it.
On a whim his wife filled out a questionnaire she got from Kessler Elementary School. She knew he fit the criteria. She said the main reason she wanted to submit him is that he doesn’t understand how extraordinary his dedication is.
For Roman, he’s simply passing on a legacy from his father.
“I personally don’t think I do anything special,” Roman said. “I cherish being with (my kids), especially being in the military. I’ve been deployed four times and I’ve come back every single one of them, but I haven’t been sure every single time. I give my kids all the time I have while I’m with them.”
It was his father who taught him to give as much time to children as possible, and the ability to have fun by never getting "too old."
“Sometimes we’ll ride our bikes on nice days,” said Issabelle. “We’ll get wood for the fireplace, or ride our scooters.”
In addition to encouraging his kids to stay active, Issabelle said he teaches her how to get along with her sister and be a giving person. She passes water bottles out to the neighborhood kids with encouragement.
“I think he deserves to win,” Issabelle said. “I’ll be really happy for him even if he doesn’t win, though.”
Alisa agrees.
“He’s a caring person,” Alisa whispered. “He’s loving, and we laugh a lot."
While the Romans are excited, the real excitement came with the addition to the family. Deployments have kept Roman from being home when his first two children were born.
Roman and his daughters decorated baby Christina’s nursery, painting canvases adorned with exotic animals to match the pink and grey color scheme.
“This is what he does,” Priscilla chuckled. “Even when he was down range, he sent them a whole bunch of art work. We’d do artwork together and then send it to him, so it was like an artwork exchange.”
While Priscilla said her mother and stepfather were loving, but her biological father wasn’t present the way Ramon is. She said she believes his presence is helping them to grow into strong women.
“As a parent you’re a leader, and he’s a leader at work and at home,” Priscilla said. “He’s shown me how to be an active parent. He’s a great father.”