By PHOEBE DONALD ROBINSON / Community Columnist

Kenneth Paschal enlisted in the U.S. Army after high school where he rose through the ranks to First Sergeant after 21 years with a top-secret security clearance specializing as a fire direction specialist in field artillery and as a leader of soldiers.

“When soldiers needed special attention, they were sent to ‘Paschal’s Squad,’” said Paschal. “I grew up in a family where I was taught right from wrong. My parents instilled in me a good work ethic. Many 18-20-year-old soldiers did not have that background. I would give my soldiers tools and goals to move forward from today, and I was with them every step on the way.”

Paschal is a charter member of American Legion Matthew Blount Post 555 where he is first vice commander and is active with all groups that supports veterans.

He is a member for First Baptist Church of Pelham, member of the board of directors of Kids First Awareness Community Center and charter member of the Exchange Club of Shelby County.

His chapter president and director of governmental affairs for Alabama Family Rights Association (ALFRA,) a group for which he volunteers passionately.

Paschal retired from the military to be close to family and his young daughter.

After a divorce in 2008, his world changed when his ex-wife moved to California.

Since October 2011, Paschal has seen his daughter only once. Despite his exemplary military career, top security clearance, no criminal record and active civic involvement, he has been denied to the right see his daughter alone, but only two weeks a year in California, under supervised visitation chosen by his ex-wife.

Paschal is not alone. Over 40,000 children a year are denied the right to see one of their parents. Paschal’s main focus in life today is to bring awareness and education about the child’s need and right to have both mother and father in their life and the dangers of parental alienation.

He has been instrumental in the development of Alabama Child Custody legislation in the last four years which safeguards the parent-child relationship regardless of the parent-child marital relationship.

He has spearheaded the annual Parental Alienation Awareness Day and Bubbles of Love campaign since 2008.

“I believe that the liberty of parents to direct the upbringing, education and care of their children is a fundamental right,” said Paschal.