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Military life has its ups and downs. Here's how families cope with it.

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When Meredith Lozar's daughter was just 3 and a half years old, her husband, Nick, came home from a tour of combat in Afghanistan.

He had been gone for nine months. During that time, Meredith did everything she could to keep their daughter connected to him — showing her photo albums and even giving her an old shirt of Nick's to sleep with at night.

But when Nick finally came home, instead of the joyful reunion one might expect, Meredith watched her husband freeze with fear.

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Military life has its ups and downs. Here's how families cope with it.

When Meredith Lozar's daughter was just 3 and a half years old, her husband, Nick, came home from a tour of combat in Afghanistan.

With the Fourth of July approaching, there's never been a better time to learn more about military families and their experiences. That's why we've created this list of 17 things military families want you to know about them.

1. Reunions aren't always picture perfect.

2. Many families find ways to help their kids stay connected even while military members are away.

3. Finally coming back home can be an adjustment.

4. Of course, being reunited isn't the end of the story.

5. Deployment isn't like any normal long distance relationship, either.

6. Spouses trying to overcome that distance have to find ways to cope, which can mean getting a little creative.

7. All this time alone though means that some military families can start to feel isolated.

8. This isolation isn't helped by the fact that they have to move a lot.

9. But that's just one of many sacrifices military kids make.

10. Spouses make their own sacrifices too, including professional ones.

11. Unfortunately military spouses can have a tough time getting hired.

12. However, securing reliable childcare can be a challenge.

13. Housing can be tricky, but it's not all bad.

14. There are a lot of misconceptions about their families — and the stereotypes hurt.

15. And that's why, even with support from other military families, veterans need their civilian communities more than ever.

16. Thankfully, that connection is something any one of us could offer.

17. Even with these sacrifices, it doesn't mean that military families regret their decision.

He was fired when he attended his son's birth. His community got fired up too.

The Austin family in Concord, New Hampshire, went through a roller coaster of emotions shortly after the ball dropped to ring in the new year.

Austin made an honorable choice to put family first. His former employer made a choice too — one that sounds heartless, but was legal.

The problem is much, much bigger than Austin and this one company.

Austin's termination was unfortunate. It was also nothing new. This time, however, people are paying attention — and that could make a difference.

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