*Bristle joined the Colorigh family in San Antonio for Brittney’s graduation ceremony in March 2019.*

*The best of friends, sister/brother duo, Brittney and Christian, have both served their country with pride. (Photo by John Bunch)*

*Christian during his deployment in Djibouti, Africa, in March 2018.*

America is a nation built upon the values of individual rights and freedoms. James Madison wrote the Bill of Rights to ensure that these individual freedoms would be protected. However, with rights come responsibilities. One of the responsibilities of U.S. citizenship is to serve and defend the country if called. America currently does not require military service of its citizens. Therefore, voluntary military service demonstrates a selfless act of patriotism. This is why we herald members of the military as heroes; these men and women signed up to protect and defend America on their own merits. More often than not, these men and women do not want to be recognized publicly for their service; they do it because they felt called to do so.

Siblings Brittney and Christian Colorigh are two such people. Growing up in Texarkana in a close-knit family, Brittney and Christian valued military service because their grandfathers had served in the Army and the Air Force. Graduating from Trinity Christian School in 2012, Christian excelled at track, winning medals, including the title of state track champion. Five years later, Brittney graduated from Pleasant Grove High School where she played soccer and volleyball and served as a cheerleader on a state-championship-winning team.

Upon graduation, Christian joined the U.S. Army and trained at Fort Benning, Georgia. “It was something I’ve had a passion for since I was a kid. My grandfather was in the Army, and I’ve looked up to him my entire life,” he remarks. “I wanted to do my part to make this country and world a little bit better.” Christian was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, serving in the 11 Bravo Infantry Airborne division between 2012-2018. During his tenure, Christian served as a Specialist and earned an Army Achievement medal as well as an ARCOM, the commendation medal given for consistent acts of heroism or meritorious service. Christian also served in the Texas Army National Guard, protecting the U.S. drone base in Djibouti, Africa.

Brittney followed her big brother into the military, choosing to join the U.S. Air Force Reserves. “Christian sparked my interested in joining the military. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, and he just gave me the extra push to go for it.” Brittney completed her technical training at Fort Sam Houston to become a certified dental technician. She currently serves at Barksdale AFB on the weekends and loves being a dental assistant. “I really enjoy my patients the most,” she comments, “being able to have personal interaction with them.” Brittney also credits her grandfathers as motivators for her. “My Papa Hughes and my Papaw Colorigh have been huge sources of inspiration for me. Both served in our Armed Forces.”

*A deployment party was held for Christian during July 2017 before his deployment to Africa.*

Although it is difficult being away from her family, Brittney clearly recognizes the rewards in her military work. “I see how far I have come in this career of serving something greater, and I know I still have so much more to reach and accomplish,” she states. Brittney’s personal motto reflects an ambitious attitude. “Great things never come from comfort zones.”

Christian and Brittney’s family is incredibly grateful for their service. Their father, John, shines in his love for his children, “Being proud of having two kids serve our country is an understatement. They both volunteered to enter the military branch of their choice and selflessly put their lives on hold to serve and protect our freedoms that most take for granted daily.” He continues, “They have both shown courage through adversities and always had a willpower to succeed, no matter the task at hand.” Their mother, Marcy, adds, “While they are humble when it comes to acknowledging their service and don’t want the recognition, this momma is proud, and I am not shy about telling the world how proud I am. Not only for their service but for the amazing people they have grown to be. They have always been best friends and encouraged each other in everything they do. They are each other’s biggest supporters other than their father and me.”

*Always supporting each other, Christian congratulates Brittney on her graduation.*

Brittney and Christian’s role models, their grandparents who inspired them to join the military, also cannot speak highly enough of them. “They have hearts as big as the sky,” Johnny and Paula Colorigh declare. “They are so smart and self-sacrificing. We could not love them anymore or be more proud of the amazing adults they have become.” Grandfather David agrees, citing that he and his late wife are “blessed to have such great grandkids. Their Mimommy was so proud of them and loved them very much. I am so proud of them and love them both for their willingness to serve in our military to protect us all.”

After completing active service, Christian has returned to civilian life, to which he says “it took some time to adjust.” He currently works at Eagle Cutting and Supply in Nash, where he builds hydraulic tubes and hoses and repairs hydraulic cylinders. Christian enjoys being outdoors “if it’s in the woods or on a lake,” and he aims “to make the world a little brighter every day.” Like her brother, Brittney also enjoys spending time outdoors and spends most of her time with her “biggest blessings,” her dogs Bristle and Paisley.

For the Colorigh siblings, service to their country is second nature. They also demonstrate the strength of family bonds, as they support and inspire each other. Although Brittney and Christian do not seek outward praise for their military work, their humility reflects the honor and nobility of their calling. As Americans, we should all be grateful for Brittney and Christian’s love of our country and their commitment to protect and defend it.

Kelsi (right) with her brother, Conner, and parents Melanie and Steve, during their 2018 summer vacation to Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

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Service Above Self