Bryant Public Schools

April is the Month of the Military Child—a time to recognize and honor the strength, sacrifice, and resilience of children in military families. At Bryant Public Schools, we are proud to shine a spotlight on one such family that embodies dedication both to our country and to our community.

Colonel Jeremy Lasiter wears many hats—Director of Legal Affairs for Bryant Public Schools, Staff Judge Advocate, and, perhaps most importantly, father. A 23-year veteran of the United States Air Force and the Arkansas Air National Guard, Jeremy is frequently called upon to fulfill his duties in service to the nation.

As the district’s staff attorney, Jeremy plays a vital role on the leadership team, providing legal guidance, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations, and handling everything from contracts to litigation. Even with a demanding career in education and military service, he finds ways to balance both roles with integrity and purpose.

“I have been extremely fortunate. All of my employers have always been fully supportive of my military service, particularly Bryant Public Schools,” said Jeremy. “They understand that I must sometimes be away from work for military training or military service.”

For Jeremy’s son, Ira, a 9th-grade student at Bryant Junior High, growing up in a military family has been a unique experience. “I always thought it was cool to have a parent in military service, especially with my dad becoming a colonel,” Ira said. “My dad has helped me learn to respect military service and what that means for our country.”

Though Jeremy’s deployment in 2009 occurred before Ira was born, his ongoing military responsibilities require him to travel frequently. “Military service requires me to be away from home fairly often,” Jeremy shared. “Sometimes those periods of duty are not predictable. It’s difficult to be away from my son because I enjoy spending as much time with him as possible. Scheduling can be hard at times, but we manage. My co-workers know my son, Ira, and always volunteer to help out while I am away.”

Ira has learned to be adaptable. “Occasionally, when my dad has to do military work, I don’t get to go with him. So I don’t get to see him for a period of time,” he said. But the two make it a priority to stay connected. “We try to make up for lost time by spending time together when he returns.”

One silver lining of Jeremy’s service is the chance for father and son to share in unique experiences. “We get to go on vacation to special places while my dad does military work in the same area, and I get to see what he does up close,” Ira said.

Jeremy added, “People often thank us for our military service, and I truly appreciate that. It means a lot. I wish people knew that we consider ourselves to be the lucky ones. We are thankful for the opportunity to serve.”

This April, and every day, we offer our sincere appreciation to the Lasiter family—and to all military families—for the sacrifices they make in service to our freedom. Thank you for your courage, strength, and unwavering commitment.