William "Bill" Brokop

William "Bill" Brokop retired from the Air Force after serving 21 years, but not before deploying around the world as a space system and ground radio maintenance operator. While on deployment to Kyrgyzstan, he met fellow Airman, and future wife, Ashley Brokop. Despite being told early in his life that he could not have children, Ashley became pregnant. Unfortunately, Bill was deployed shortly after discovering the happy news, uncertain whether he would be home for the birth of their much-anticipated-son, Wesley. Upon requesting an early redeployment, Bill was told, “If they [Air Force] wanted you to have a family, they would have issued you one.” Thankfully Bill did make it home, because just six weeks after Wesley’s birth, his wife Ashley was sent on deployment. Their dual-military marriage with both leapfrogging on deployments and temporary duties became untenable. Ashley left service to manage their growing family, while Bill stayed and continued to deploy, dropping in and out of his family’s life over the years – sacrificing so much in the process. Bill lives with his wife, Ashley, in Indian Land, SC, with his two daughters, Betsy and Abby. His son Wesley has just left home for Air Force basic training.