Military Wives

Washington Times ^ | 3/31/02 | Jennifer Harper

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Strong as steel, tender as an angel. Witness the military wife

[mountaineer]

Navy Lt. Matt Williams places a hand on his 3-month-old daughter, Evelyn Williams, during their first meeting at Norfolk Naval Station in Virginia on March 27. Lt. Williams had just returned to Norfolk after six months of duty aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt for Operation Enduring Freedom.

[Militiaman7]

18 moves in 20 years, three kids, a couple of dogs, a cat and puting up with me. Don't think I could have done it without Mrs. Militiaman7.

The article above really doesn't tell half the story.

Militiaman7, Saluting military wives!

[Militiaman7]

18 moves in 20 years, three kids, a couple of dogs, a cat and puting up with me. Don't think I could have done it without Mrs. Militiaman7.

The article above really doesn't tell half the story.

Militiaman7, Saluting military wives!

[Militiaman7]

Sorry for the double post, but somewhere out there was an error message saying I lost my connection or something

Anyway 2 salutes are better than one!

[Delta 21]

My 21 years looks about the same as yours. I know I would be a quivering pile of jello without my wife by my side.

Definatly a Double Salute.

[Militiaman7]

It says the following:

CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION
from the United States Air Force

TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS,GREETING
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT

MRS. MILITIAMAN7

on occasion of the retirement of her husband from active duty with the

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

has earned grateful apprecition for her own unselfish, faithful and
devoted service. Her unfailing support and understanding helped
to make possible her husband's lasting contribution to the Nation.

ON THE First DAY OF August
ONE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED AND Ninety Three

[cutlass]

I don't have such a high opinion of many military wifes. When I was in the service, I saw a very high percentage of my buddies wives screwing around when their husbands were out in the field, or away on duty. The divorce rate was very high because of the infidelity of many of the wifes.

[Militiaman7]

Not all military wives are like that. I agree some were, but not the majority.

[silver fox two]

That was a very astute observation,my friend, but "screwing around" worked both ways,didn't it? Most of us were single in my outfit in WW2,so we didn't have that problem. But that's a whole 'nother issue.

[TADSLOS]

Thanking God again for my military wife, who, as a military veteran herself, managed to parent two great boys, many times on her own, doing her duty while I did mine.

[RightFin]

My mother was the wife of an Air Force KC-135 pilot for 30 years. My brother and I basically grew up without a father at home for many months at a time. He served two terms in Vietnam (my mom swears he volunteered for the 2nd but would never admit it to her) and flew all over the world. My father was my hero.

It wasn't until I was older that I appreciated all my mother did for my brother, my father and me. Living the life of a military family was not easy. We moved constantly. I was the "new kid at school" many years of my life -- but then again, all of us military kids on the move were.

My mother stayed at home with us. She took us to school, went on our field trips, volunteered at my Girl Scout meetings, was the Den Mother of my brother's Cub Scout group. We spent many, many, many days baking and cooking to bring food to the men who were on alert. Many of my memories growing up are driving out to the hangers and delivering food. Although my dad wasn't there for a lot of it, I never felt as if I was missing a parent.

My father died 15 years ago at the age of 56, leaving my mother a widow at the age of 50. She's one of the strongest people I know. I wish I had all the perfect words to describe her, but it would take me all day! My mother is my hero, too.