Photo courtesy of CL Photography by Chelbi Lyn The Hoffman family, of Cottonwood, has two generations of service in the National Guard and law enforcement. Dan Hoffman served for 21 years in the National Guard. Today his daughter Brianna and son Jaden are both in the National Guard, and his son Parker is a deputy with the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office. From left to right, Brianna, Parker, Dan and Jaden Hoffman posed for a family portrait in their uniforms.

COTTONWOOD — Public service has become a tradition for one southwest Minnesota family.

Cottonwood resident Dan Hoffman served for 21 years in the Minnesota National Guard before retiring from service. Today, Dan and Donna Hoffman’s daughter Brianna and son Jaden are both in the National Guard, and their son Parker is a deputy with the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office.

“We’re just very proud of our kids, because they’ve chosen to serve,” Dan Hoffman said.

The Hoffman family had a history of military service even before Dan Hoffman enlisted in the National Guard in 1988. Dan’s father served in the Korean war, and his grandfather served in World War I.

Dan said that when he first joined the Guard, he hadn’t planned on serving for more than one enlistment period. But his experiences made him change his mind.

“You develop a bond with your fellow soldiers,” Hoffman said. In addition to building those connections, he said, “I began to see the importance of what we were doing, and the meaning behind it.”

For the last nine years of his service with the National Guard, Dan trained soldiers at Camp Ripley. It was work that took on added importance after the 9/11 terror attacks, he said.

“It was very important for us to make sure (our soldiers) were highly trained,” Hoffman said. “It gave me that much more of a reason and purpose to stay in.”

The Hoffman siblings said they knew they wanted to follow their dad’s example, even if their path didn’t lead into the military. Brianna Hoffman said Dan was “a huge influence” for her.

“I remember in sixth grade, thinking that’s what I want to do,” she said.

Today, Brianna is assigned to the Minnesota National Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters.

“Growing up I always looked up to my dad and how proud he was to serve. I remember thinking he was a superhero,” Jaden Hoffman said. “My parents raised my siblings and I to have a servant’s heart, to do what we can for others around us.”

Parker Hoffman said military service was “always a normal thing” around his family, but at some point he decided that it wasn’t the path for him. He looked at a career in law enforcement instead.

“I still wanted to serve, and that was a way to do it,” he said.

Parker said his parents had always taught him and his siblings to treat others the way they wanted to be treated. For Parker, “That turned into helping people that can’t help themselves,” he said.

After graduating from Alexandria Technical and Community College, Parker was hired by the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, and he’s been with the Sheriff’s Office about nine months.

“I’m glad I took this route, and my family was supportive,” he said.

Brianna and Jaden Hoffman said being part of the National Guard has meant a lot to them. For Brianna, the Guard went from being partly a way to help pay for college, to something deeper.

“I met so many awesome people, and I learned more about myself,” she said. Serving in the Guard was also a way to help others. “I’ve always liked helping people. This is one way I can give back.”

“I’ve made countless friends, many of whom I’d consider like family. Serving has taught me to be mentally tough and resilient … It really shows you what you’re made of, and what you can do when you’re determined and motivated,” Jaden Hoffman said.

At the same time, he said, he owed a lot to those who served before him, and to the support he’s received.

“I wouldn’t be able to do it without all the support I’ve had from my family.”

Parker Hoffman said being a deputy sheriff has also been meaningful for him.

“When you answer a call and really help someone, it’s pretty rewarding,” he said.

Having family members in the military or law enforcement comes with challenges, the Hoffmans said. One of the big ones is having to spend time away from other family members.

“We just made do,” Donna Hoffman said.

She and the children knew Dan would sometimes need to be away from home for weeks at a time. Dan said he balanced work at Camp Ripley during the summer and teaching at Lakeview School.

Deployment is a new challenge that the family is getting through together. Jaden Hoffman is one of the 70 members of Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 151 Field Artillery Regiment of the Minnesota National Guard, who were deployed from Marshall in May. After undergoing training, Alpha Battery will spend nine months in the Middle East.

“The hardest thing for me is being away from my family. I love what I do, but it takes a toll on those closest to me,” Jaden Hoffman said. That “This deployment is going to be the hardest thing we’ve had to go through. Thankfully we are surrounded by friends and family and an awesome community.”

Jaden’s wife, Marah Hoffman, said she and her son miss him “more than words can express.”

“We are counting the days until he comes home,” she said. “We are grateful for our family, friends, church and community members that have wrapped their arms around us throughout this deployment so far.”

“This is all new for her. It’s new for me as well,” Donna Hoffman said.

Family members, friends and church members were focused on being there to help support Marah, she said.

“It will take all of us,” Donna said.

In some ways, having a lot of family members in military or law enforcement brings the Hoffmans together.

“Family and Guard stuff, it’s just normal conversation at this point,” Parker Hoffman said.

“We’re a pretty close-knit family,” Brianna Hoffman said, but their service experience brings them closer.

“The military itself is like our second family,” she said.

“I did not grow up in a military family, so this was all new to me when I started dating Jaden,” Marah Hoffman said. But she said she admired the Hoffmans’ willingness to serve.

“They all take so much pride in what they do, and are proud to serve and protect our country,” she said.

“One thing that I’ve loved about being part of a military family is connecting with other families and military spouses who understand what you are going through,” Marah said.

In the end, the Hoffmans said they were proud to see their family members working to help others.

All kinds of service are important, Jaden Hoffman said.

“I am proud to be a part of a family that is so eager to serve,” he said.