by Mrs. Olen D. Cogan
I'm looking back upon my life as so-called military wife.
It was a challenge-and indeed-a life that also takes a special breed.
I had to do more than my share, because my spouse was seldom there.
He was a soldier first of all; he was prepared to fight and fall for God and
country, but I knew, his love for me would see me through.
We met, got married-from the start the Army kept us lots apart.
The field-the duty-TDY…no use complaining, asking "why?"
It seemed forever and a day-my soldier-husband was away.
I asked myself, well, was it fair, to buy the house-he wasn't there?
I'd changed from being a descendant-the Army called me a dependent…
but here I was, I bought the house, became an independent spouse.
A year went by, I had to learn that Army policies were stern.
My faith began to ward and tear, I bore his child, he wasn't there.
So no more kids, I could have sworn, but two more kids were promptly born.
At first I thought to move was grand, but then we moved from land to land with
pots and pans and household-gear, for thirty years-ONCE every year.
I clinched my teeth, I pulled my hair, another move, he wasn't there.
He went to Nam, three yeas went by, I prayed to God he wouldn't die; and
even though I felt alone and asked myself "Will he be home?"
And even though three years were long, I somehow managed to stay strong.
I hugged the children, they were sad and always asking for their Dad.
I tried to make them understand, how much we all to Daddy meant.
Yes, every minute, every day he loved us in a special way.
It seemed too much for them to bear, a thousand times he wasn't there.
Three years they only had their Mom, but pretty soon their Dad would come.
He loved his country, served with pride, his plea for freedom never died.
He did what he had sworn to do, he stood behind "red, white, and blue."
And now I know, it all was fair, he had no worries, I was there.