Story by Master Sgt. Michael J. Lacuesta
Sgt. Merrill Simon is a force to be reckoned with. Standing an impressive 6 feet 11 inches, he is looked up to more than people look up at birds in the sky. This resident of Moundhouse, Nevada, a small community east of Carson City, is looked up to with respect and dignity.
Simon was born on October 18, 1955 in Long Beach California. Simon met his wife, Roberta at Bethany Nazarene College in Bethany, Oklahoma in 1977. Roberta and Merrill were married on June 30, 1978 and are the proud parents of 16 children with one more on the way. Early in their marriage, Roberta and Merrill Simon learned they would not be able to have their own children, along with events early in Roberta's life, they decided to look at Special needs adoptions. Each one of these children has severe emotional and/or physical special needs, ranging from fetal alcohol syndrome to more severe medical needs such as blindness, deafness, tracheotomy, Cerebral palsy, wheelchair dependent and many require 24 hour care. These special parents do everything they can to provide a loving and nurturing home for these children and are committed to the lifetime care many of these children will require in the future. Due to their medical conditions, two of these children have passed away, each having left this world long after the doctors had predicted they would pass. While the family dearly misses these two little ones, they feel their mission has always been to provide the best possible home, with as much love and care as can be provided.
Simon has a total of 33 years, to include 25 years of commissioned service in the United States Army Reserve and the Army National Guard. His present assignment is working with the S6 at Headquarters & Headquarters Company (HHC). 5th Brigade, 75th Division. His civilian occupation in an I.T. Technician with the Nevada Department of Transportation, Carson City, Nevada.
Simon is a man who has dedicated his life to help others. The 5th Brigade is proud to call him one of their own. He is living up to the motto "Army Strong."
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This article was published in the Bulge Buster. Winter 2008/2009. Needless to say, we really got two children for the price of one...LOL. So that gives us the 18 wonderful children.
Here in the Simon household we are just lucky and blessed to call him husband and dad.
We Love You Merrill and We are Proud of You and All You Stand For!!!!
Sgt. Merrill Simon is a force to be reckoned with. Standing an impressive 6 feet 11 inches, he is looked up to more than people look up at birds in the sky. This resident of Moundhouse, Nevada, a small community east of Carson City, is looked up to with respect and dignity.
Simon was born on October 18, 1955 in Long Beach California. Simon met his wife, Roberta at Bethany Nazarene College in Bethany, Oklahoma in 1977. Roberta and Merrill were married on June 30, 1978 and are the proud parents of 16 children with one more on the way. Early in their marriage, Roberta and Merrill Simon learned they would not be able to have their own children, along with events early in Roberta's life, they decided to look at Special needs adoptions. Each one of these children has severe emotional and/or physical special needs, ranging from fetal alcohol syndrome to more severe medical needs such as blindness, deafness, tracheotomy, Cerebral palsy, wheelchair dependent and many require 24 hour care. These special parents do everything they can to provide a loving and nurturing home for these children and are committed to the lifetime care many of these children will require in the future. Due to their medical conditions, two of these children have passed away, each having left this world long after the doctors had predicted they would pass. While the family dearly misses these two little ones, they feel their mission has always been to provide the best possible home, with as much love and care as can be provided.
Simon has a total of 33 years, to include 25 years of commissioned service in the United States Army Reserve and the Army National Guard. His present assignment is working with the S6 at Headquarters & Headquarters Company (HHC). 5th Brigade, 75th Division. His civilian occupation in an I.T. Technician with the Nevada Department of Transportation, Carson City, Nevada.
Simon is a man who has dedicated his life to help others. The 5th Brigade is proud to call him one of their own. He is living up to the motto "Army Strong."
********************************************************
This article was published in the Bulge Buster. Winter 2008/2009. Needless to say, we really got two children for the price of one...LOL. So that gives us the 18 wonderful children.
Here in the Simon household we are just lucky and blessed to call him husband and dad.
We Love You Merrill and We are Proud of You and All You Stand For!!!!
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Breezy