Madison Celebrates the Berger Family as Military Family of the Year
In the heart of Madison, excitement was in the air as families gathered at Toyota Field for the annual Celebrate Madison event held on Thursday. This year, the spotlight shone brightly on the Berger family, who were honored as the Madison Military Family of the Year. The event aimed to emphasize the vital role military families play in the community, and it certainly delivered an evening filled with pride and appreciation.
Spotlighting the Importance of Dads
What makes this award particularly special this year is that it wasn’t just about honoring the family but about celebrating an initiative focused on fathers. Retired Colonel Steven Berger, who previously served at the Space and Missile Defense Command, established an “All Pro Dad” chapter at Heritage Elementary School last year. This wonderful program seeks to help fathers focus on their parenting roles in meaningful ways.
“Our mission is to teach dads how to love and lead their families well,” Steven explained while seated in the Trash Pandas dugout ahead of the awards. He continued, “This is an opportunity for fathers and kids to spend time together, fostering positive relationships.”
The program includes a monthly breakfast event at Heritage Elementary at 7 a.m., which allows dads to attend before heading off to work. The timing is excellent, as it fits well with the school’s start time at 7:40 a.m., enabling fathers to engage with their kids and encourage valuable discussions on family and responsibility.
The Berger Family’s Story
Retired Capt. Kristin Berger, who had a dedicated career with the Army Nurse Corps, joins Steven in advocating for their family and military service. Together, they are raising three remarkable daughters: Eliana, a fifth-grader at Heritage; Katharina, a freshman studying nursing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham; and Kristianna, a junior at the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering.
“I’m truly proud to represent all military families,” Steven stated. “While we have our unique story, the sacrifices our family makes are not so different from those made by other service members. We are just part of the bigger picture, and we are proud to represent military families within our community.”
Acknowledging Dedication and Sacrifice
During the presentation ceremony, Steve Lessmann, CEO of SGI and Signalink, along with his wife Alice, who serves on the Madison City Board of Education, highlighted the profound dedication displayed by military families. “The commitment needed to serve in the armed forces is immense,” he noted. “What is often overlooked, however, is the significant sacrifice made by their families as they support our brave service members in protecting our freedoms.”
Lessmann’s heartfelt words resonated with everyone in attendance, emphasizing how military families are integral to the social fabric of our community. “These families are our neighbors and friends. They share the joys and challenges of raising families and contribute to making Madison a fantastic place to live.”
Wrapping Up a Special Event
The evening continued with a sense of camaraderie and celebration, as friends and families gathered to honor the Berger family. Recognizing the dedicated efforts of this military family not only brought smiles and applause but bonded the Madison community even tighter.
This event was a lovely reminder of the strength, love, and commitment that military families always embody. Kudos to the Berger family for their outstanding contributions to Madison and beyond!
