Lakewood 11-year-old Andrew Merrill Semi-Finalist for Military Child of the Year Award

Lakewood's Andrew Merrill, an 11-year-old from Lakewood, is a semi-finalist representing the Army in Operation Homefront's Military Child of the Year award.

Merrill has lived more than half of his life with his father deployed to a combat zone or training exercise. Due to father's involvement in the military, his family has moved six times. Merrill has attended three different schools.

Last year after football season ended, Merrill said he gained weight and became a target for bullies. He used the incident as an opportunity to stand up for other kids facing the same difficulties. He says he tries to take the bullies’ remarks in stride.

Outside of school, Merrill said he is able to find plenty of volunteer opportunities in every new community he moves to. To date, he has completed about 45 hours of volunteer work for organizations around town including his church and the Alzheimer charity walk. Andrew said he enjoys volunteering.

He along with Amanda Nelson, 12, of Silverdale and Maverick Jennings, 15, of Port Angeles hope to be selected to win $5,000 and will be flown with a parent or guardian to Washington D.C. for a special recognition ceremony on April.

Each of the finalists represents the Navy, Army and Coast Guard. A committee including active duty military personnel, Family Readiness Support Assistants, teachers, military mothers and community members will choose them.

Operation Homefront will announce five finalists from each branch of service on March 1, which will be released through the organization’s Twitter feed and its Facebook page. The recipient of the Military Child of the Year Award for each branch of Service will be announced March 8. 

Jim Knotts, president and CEO of Operation Homefront, said sons and daughters of America's service members learn what patriotism is at a very young age.

"Children in military families demonstrate leadership within their families and within their communities.  This is what the Military Child of the Year Award honors," Knotts said.