David Spafford has been a Paramedic in Springfield for over 15 years.
The 42-year old has raised a family here in Western Massachusetts, very quickly that family has gone from civilian to military in no time flat.
Spafford and two of his children have all enlisted in the army reserve with months of each other.

"I've always wanted to serve, and I figured if my children can do it than I can do it,” said Spafford.

Stafford may be first to scene on emergency calls, but at home he was the last to enlist.

"It definitely started with my brother Ron, he went, and I have been mulling it over for a while, I really decided it was what I wanted to do, they were gonna help so much with school. I'm going to the reserves so I come back, go to school, it sounded perfect. Then my dad called, and things have been going different in his life, he always wanted to try it, and he's gonna give it a shot,” said Regina Spafford.

The Springfield father is heading out in February for his six month stint of boot camp in Missouri, his daughter Regina Spafford is a senior at Chicopee High, two weeks after she graduates she be off to boot camp as well.

"My mom, she is a little upset you know, because her son leaves, and he’s talking about volunteering for deployment. I'm gonna be gone till February once I leave, even know they are divorced, still best friends , he’s gonna be gone,” said Regina Spafford.

Ron Stafford is already away, training now at boot camp.

"He's due to graduate from boot camp December fourth, he’s been there for most of the summer, he's in the army national guard as infantry,” said David Spafford.

With a regular stint of six years a reservist, that could mean two-to three deployments in those years.
For the Stafford family that’s something they all have accepted and invite if need be,

"I worry, I worry, that’s part of the decision to fight for our country,” said Spafford.