Service, Strength, and Family: A Father’s Reflections on Military Life and CF

For many Canadian Armed Forces families, life on the move is part of the journey: new homes, new communities and new beginnings every few years. But for families like the Babins, who navigate military life alongside the challenges of cystic fibrosis, each move brings both resilience and strength.  

This Remembrance Day, Colonel Mike Babin shares his story as a cystic fibrosis father and as a member of service, reflecting on what it means to serve, to sacrifice and to stay strong for the ones you love:

What first inspired you to join the military?  

I worked as a forest fire firefighter when I was a student. We were often transported by helicopter. I loved it so much, so I decided to make a career out of it. I chose the military because the lifestyle was very attractive to me and I like the idea of serving others, my community, my country. 

What does Remembrance Day mean to you personally, as someone who served? 

Remembrance Day connects all Canadians to our shared values and our collective memory. It is a time to reflect together on the cost of peace and the debt we owe to every veteran, every service member, and their families. It is an opportunity to pause and remember the fallen, honour the living, and recommit us to building a safer, more peaceful future. 

How did your time in the military shape the person, and the parent, you became? 

I believe life in the military has taught me loyalty, dedication, courage and sacrifice. Those same values are also critical as a person and a parent. 

Are there any lessons from the military that you think helped you handle challenges at home? 

A life in the military teaches you flexibility, readiness and composure which prepares you well to handle anything in your personal life. 

How did you first feel when you found out your daughter had cystic fibrosis? 

Nobody ever wants to hear they have a sick child. Feels unfair for an innocent child who's life is just getting started. I wish every day I could have swapped life with her so she could enjoy a normal fulfilling life. 

What was the hardest part of balancing military life with being a dad to a child with a chronic illness? 

I spent several months away from home every year so I wasn't as present as I wish I had been to help care for her. It also means my wife Rea-Anne had to do it all on her own for many years and it was a heavy load. 

Did your experience in service change how you handled fear or uncertainty when it came to CF? 

The military teaches you to always be prepared for the unexpected, adapt and keep fighting. I believe it helped me cope with the many challenges that CF presented us.  

What moments with your daughter stand out as the ones that made you proudest even in the face of illness? 

I'm proud Alexie made it through her boarding school experience in Italy. It was a struggle but she did it and came out of it stronger.  

How did moving around for your service affect your family’s journey with CF care? 

The constant moves across Canada and internationally also means Alexie did not have continuity of care. She had a new doctor every two years and that meant a starting over again, particularly before the age of online medical records. 

Were there ever times you felt torn between duty to your country and duty to your family? 

It happens a lot to all military members. You do what you can with the support you have and you keep going. My wife Rea-Anne was there all along to care for the home front and the kids which made it much easier to keep serving. It was particularly difficult when I was helping orphanages in Haiti care for children but I couldn't be home to care for my own children. That is what a life of service is. 

What role did your military community play in supporting you all through tough times? 

Your military family is often all you have when living far away from family and relatives so they play a big role in supporting you through challenges. 

What would you say to other military parents who have kids living with chronic illness? 

Keep fighting, one day at a time. That's all you can do. 

How do you define “strength” after everything you’ve lived through, both in service and as a father? 

The ability to keep fighting to the best of your ability and not quit. You do the best you can, always. That is all anyone can ask of you. 

What sacrifices do people often forget about when it comes to military families like yours? 

Behind all of those headlines, parades and medals are military families, the rock behind the uniform who make it all possible and who make it look easy. I strongly believe that our families deserve all the same medals and recognition. They too serve our country with dedication but they do it all quietly in the shadows. The constant postings, new cities, new friends, new jobs, new schools, new doctors. The Christmas holidays away from relatives, the many birthdays, holidays and anniversaries without us. We’ll never say thank you enough. 

How has your daughter’s resilience influenced the way you think about courage and service? 

Alexie's exemplary resilience helped us cope with the challenges. If she can find the inner strength to live her best life in those circumstances, the least we can do is keep supporting her.  

When you think about the future, what do you hope people remember most about your family’s story? 

Every stage of the illness and every place we have lived, we made the best of it. You do everything you can to live your best life despite the illness.  

If you could say one thing directly to your daughter in this blog, what would it be? 

Keep pushing for your best life Lex, one day at a time. It's tough but you can do anything. We're right behind ya. xx 

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On Remembrance Day, we honour the sacrifices of those who serve and the families who serve alongside them. For Canadian Armed Forces families, the cost of service often extends beyond the battlefield. Balancing the demands of military life with managing a chronic illness like cystic fibrosis adds layers of complexity and resilience. Today, we remember not only the bravery of those in uniform, but also the strength of their loved ones.