Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Please light a candle for ALL veterans... past & present.
The end of January will be six years since Donnie felt the strong need to join the military after 9/11. I will say, the time went very quickly, and the memories are ones that will never be forgotten.
My family has had a generation in the military going back to the Civil War, ever since we emigrated here... my dad's family from Sweden & Norway, my mom's from England & Ireland. My Granddad served for 30 years in the Air Force, my Grandpa served in the Navy, my dad was drafted into the Army during Vietnam, my uncle Don served in the Navy for 20 years, and my brother, Greg, served in the Air Force. It gives me so much pride to know my husband continues to carry on this brave family tradition.
I always say that 'we' are in the military... because even though I do not deploy, I do go through missions of my own while my husband is away. Being a military wife is definitely more than I have ever bargained for... but it is a life I wouldn't trade for anything. It takes a good amount of strength, you truly do learn what exactly it is that you are made of. There is nothing more in this world that can break your heart quicker than holding your child as they cry because they miss their Daddy. Or to get a phone call to hear that one of our men was lost. I have wiped many tears... my boys' and my own. Being a military wife, I know I have become a better person... I know even more now what it means to serve others, to be thankful, to grieve, and to feel pride in our country.
These last six years my emotions have become deeper than ever. But this is because I have learned the depths of true friendship. I have had ladies step up for me in moments of real crisis... and they never left my side. I'm sure many of you have heard, people in the military develop friendships fast and strong... at times, it is a form of survival. But in the end, you are left having the most loyal people surrounding you... friendships that last a lifetime.
I am so proud of our men and women in uniform, and am so thankful for all that they do. I know what it means to put in a hard day's work... they work harder and longer than most. I know how hard it is to kiss your children & spouse and tell them goodbye... I have seen the tears and understood the agony over lost memories of watching their children grow. I know what it means to believe in a cause and to have duty... they do their jobs quietly, without the need for public attention and reward. And through it all, their hearts are swollen with love... love for this country and love for you & me.
God Bless The Military... And Thank You!!!!!!
The end of January will be six years since Donnie felt the strong need to join the military after 9/11. I will say, the time went very quickly, and the memories are ones that will never be forgotten.
My family has had a generation in the military going back to the Civil War, ever since we emigrated here... my dad's family from Sweden & Norway, my mom's from England & Ireland. My Granddad served for 30 years in the Air Force, my Grandpa served in the Navy, my dad was drafted into the Army during Vietnam, my uncle Don served in the Navy for 20 years, and my brother, Greg, served in the Air Force. It gives me so much pride to know my husband continues to carry on this brave family tradition.
I always say that 'we' are in the military... because even though I do not deploy, I do go through missions of my own while my husband is away. Being a military wife is definitely more than I have ever bargained for... but it is a life I wouldn't trade for anything. It takes a good amount of strength, you truly do learn what exactly it is that you are made of. There is nothing more in this world that can break your heart quicker than holding your child as they cry because they miss their Daddy. Or to get a phone call to hear that one of our men was lost. I have wiped many tears... my boys' and my own. Being a military wife, I know I have become a better person... I know even more now what it means to serve others, to be thankful, to grieve, and to feel pride in our country.
These last six years my emotions have become deeper than ever. But this is because I have learned the depths of true friendship. I have had ladies step up for me in moments of real crisis... and they never left my side. I'm sure many of you have heard, people in the military develop friendships fast and strong... at times, it is a form of survival. But in the end, you are left having the most loyal people surrounding you... friendships that last a lifetime.
I am so proud of our men and women in uniform, and am so thankful for all that they do. I know what it means to put in a hard day's work... they work harder and longer than most. I know how hard it is to kiss your children & spouse and tell them goodbye... I have seen the tears and understood the agony over lost memories of watching their children grow. I know what it means to believe in a cause and to have duty... they do their jobs quietly, without the need for public attention and reward. And through it all, their hearts are swollen with love... love for this country and love for you & me.
God Bless The Military... And Thank You!!!!!!
