TO ALL OF
AMERICA'S FINEST
THE MILITARY
and their
FAMILIES
The United States Armed Forces
Your Country Cares!
Medley of Hymns
Posted on 04/09/2005 2:26:59 PM PDT by La Enchiladita
Subject: HomeLand Hugs - Poem for Military Wives and Families
You probably didn't realize who was sitting next to you. You rattled on about how silly this anti-terrorist war is, and that it's just a political ploy. You complained about America being the world's police. You said you'd never let your son run off to fight, and you'd throw a fit if they just sent your husband off. At that point, I almost turned around and told you who I am. I am a military spouse. Life in the military has never been easy. It means low pay with no overtime, watching your husband go to work with a fever because the doctor didn't deem him sick enough for the day off. It means years of rules and protocol that wear on you like a dripping faucet late at night. Don't even get me going on the weekly inspection of our yards. We live with Terms like "Exercise" which means 2 week shifts. And "TDY," which means your spouse is gone for up to 180 days. And "Remotes," which means your spouse is gone for longer than 180 days. And finally, "PCS," which means your whole family is going on this ride. Don't get me wrong, whining is not my intent here. While the road we've been down in the military hasn't always been paved; it's been a good life. My kids know you don't wait to make friends because you never know how long they'll be here. We know how precious good friends are even when miles separate us. We go to live in other countries where the locals despise us. We know that value of a good, old fashioned LOVE letter. It wasn't always in vogue to be patriotic. Sept. 11 helped turn that tide, but flags are fading around here again. There have been too many times I have NEEDED him here. It's being a single parent although you are still married to your children's father . It's keeping a marriage alive through letters, care packages, and 10 minute phone calls that you wait for days to receive. It's having to answer the question,"how many days till daddy comes home?" two hundred times. It's waving goodbye to a figure on a ship or a plane or a bus and trying not to blink for fear you'll loose sight of them, those extra seconds so precious. It's living a thousand miles away from any loved ones. Forget the running of the home for there are kisses and hugs that should be taking place. I lie in bed and try to recall what his breathing sounds like next to me or I hear the door open and try to envision him walking in from work. What I would give to hear his clear voice without telephone static and worrying about how much the phone call will cost us. It's missing birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas's. Not to mention first steps, first words, lost teeth, nightmares, school plays and a millions other "daily events" that civilians take for granted. It's living with the knowledge that any day they could be sent on a mission that will change your & your children's lives forever. The deep fear - what if this separation becomes permanent? Distance is a horrible thief of what is precious, because it only reminds us of how precious it is.
You kept on talking for a while. I then realized I was picking up your tab. You could sit there freely & give your opinion because of the military and families like ours. We don't have the luxury of political opinion. We only know orders, patriotism & duty. We are paying the price for your freedom. I've heard it said that soldiers of the past, present and future pay for the flag. Nah, we are the THREADS our great flag is woven with!!
ping for your ping lists, if you wish...
"ping for your ping lists, if you wish..."
Support the military PING
Durn your hide, lady, where was the tissue alert?
Thank you so much for caring. It means the world to so many wives and husbands and kids out there.
BTTT
AMEN!!! God Bless our Heroes and their families!!! What a wonderful post!!
Isaiah 40:31 (King James Version)
31But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
nicely said, and too bad she didn't clock the whiney bag...
Good evening, Uncle!
.
HAL G. MOORE: The Legacy and Lessons of an American Warrior
http://www.ArmchairGeneral.com/page_left_column.php?content=show_curr_issue_0904a
http://war-forums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14752&page=1
BRAVO !!
Pro Military Ping
Mine!!
Along the road to Baghdad, 'you never know when you’re going to get hit’
Vince Little / S&S Soldiers help load supplies on a Camp Taji convoy last month. About two months into a yearlong deployment, many troops with the 87th Corps Support Battalion say that while incidents have been few, they are definitely something to worry about.
A most good evening to you, bentfeather,
Queen of the Dragon's Lair! How goes it?
A military supporter are you? LOL!!
Thanks for all you do to support
the men and women of our great
nations fighting forces!!
NEVER FORGET!!
Thank you for posting this poem, La Enchiladita. Thanks for the pings, Tonkin and Mayor...will pass it on to family and friends.
My pleasure entirely.
Thanks to all who pay the price for our freedom. And as for the small price I pay, thank you all for making it worth it.
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