Six years ago today, our country was attacked by terrorists. We lost many people that day. And today, we have many of our military folks serving in this thing we call the war on terror.
For the last four or five years, I've been involved with support of the deployed military. At the time, I really didn't do it because I supported the war. I was newly single, living far away from family, and looking for something to do with my time as the holidays approached. I happened on the AnySoldier.com website and found there were a lot of deployed military folks who were looking for support. I can't really say I understood much about what we were doing in Iraq, only that I related it to the happenings in our world on 9/11. While I grew up in a military family, my mother was pretty good about protecting us from the reality of the reasons that a military is needed in the first place. Thankfully children in the military are often shielded from the hardships that are endured by their parents.
Being involved with our military the last few years has humbled me. I have learned so much from the folks I have supported. I am constantly amazed by how humble they are. And I have learned that they ARE making a difference in the lives of the people. And isn't that what life is all about for any of us? To be able to make a difference? It's hard for me to try to make someone understand that I don't just support our military because of all they do for me. I do it, in part, because of what it does for me. How it allows me to make a difference for someone else. These folks give of themselves, they sacrifice time with their families, they miss children's birthdays and special events, and they do it willingly and without complaint. That amazes me.
I am also very much in awe of the military spouses who keep things running at home while their spouse is deployed. I have a real heart for this group. Getting to know some of them has given me a refreshed insight into my mother's life and how it must have been, and yet she shielded us from most of that. I think military spouses may be some of the most resourceful people I have met. They seem to always find ways to get around the obstacles, take care of their family, become a "single" parent for a period of time in their lives, and remain supportive of their spouse who is gone. I believe they are the unsung heroes in our war and a group we often forget.
And so, this day, my heart is full of gratitude that we have folks who have made this their life calling. It means something to me. Not only do they make a difference where they are, but they have also made a real difference in my life. And for that, I am thankful.
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6 comments:
Having grown up in the Vietnam Era and watching my peers being drafted, not volunteering like they do now, the military was a large part of all our lives. My mother worked for the Army for 40 years. My husband's father retired from the Army as did his older brother. My husband was drafted in 1967 and spend 2 years in the army in the 82nd Airborne Division. My husband was not "sheltered" from anything -- they were in it as a family. If it wasn't for the military, Lord only knows what form of government we would have now. In my opinion the Iraq war would be going better if they would get the politicians out of it and let the military do their job. We should be very, very thankfor the individuals willing to fight for our freedom and for the veterans who have done so.
Kathy -
You brought tears to my eyes with your kind words about both soldiers and spouses. Being a military spouse is not an easy "job", and being separated from my husband during deployments is one of the hardest things to have to go through - but I will say the amount of pride I have in my husband and all the soldiers is beyond measure! We have also tried to "shield" our children - they were young the first time my husband deployed and we told them simply that daddy was going to help people - and that is, afterall, the truth. I don't see being a military spouse as a sacrifice for me - it was my choice to marry someone in the Army. My husband sacrifices time with our kids (like you said - there have been many milestones he has missed out on) and our kids sacrifice without even knowing it or making a decision to. They are also unsung heroes to me - they share something so very precious with the rest of the world - they share their father. What they give up and sacrifice - far out weighs any sacrifice I might make.
I am proud to be an American, I am proud to be an Army wife! Thank you for your kind words - they mean alot!!
Kathy and Sharon you have left tears in my eyes. Since last night I've had a pit in my stomach, as I do every year on this day. I realized a few weeks ago that this year we're back at Tuesday. Today is Tuesday, September 11. I lived in NJ on the day of the attacks. We had ash in our backyard for weeks as a constant reminder of what happened.
I have since married a Navy man and I am proud that he serves our country. The training that he endures is scary and intimidating and I try not to think about what he does everyday.
Last summer, my husband was due back from deployment on June 30. My son was due to be born on July 5. On June 29th, North Korea broadcasted their plans to launch their rockets and we heard that Hawaii was a target. Tim's ship got turned around from their safe spot in Japan and headed out to the shore of N. Korea. He was unable to be here for Jack's birth. These small sacrifices are just a part of giving back to what we sometimes take for granted.
In some countries, women regularly get beaten by their husbands and are not even allowed to wear pants or get an education! I am so thankful to live in this country and this is a wonderful day to remember that.
Thank you guys for your comments. It is indeed a day to remember all of those things. I remain in awe of the folks in our military, both abroad and at home and am thankful for the job they do.
After reading your story, the word "remember" is what stays in my mind. Maybe because that is all we can do...just remember. Thousands of people lost loved ones to the crucial acts of terrorists here in the US and overseas in Iraq. Being a military spouse puts you in the "left behind" category. Some people remember us, some don't. Being a 9/11 wife, husband, child, brother, sister, father, mother, that also puts you in the "left behind" category. Again, some people remember you, some don't. Although we are different individuals, we are the same in that we all suffer from the loss of our loved ones to the hand of terrorists who are trying to tear our world apart. The people who lost their lives on 9/11 are gone forever. They will miss whatever life happens after 9/11 and all their families have are memories. All they can do is remember. Our military men and women didn't necessarily have a choice to deploy, either. But, our service members did make a choice to serve and protect the people of the United States at any cost. My husband is missing life with our family everyday, and although we miss him and would rather have him home, we are proud that he wasn't afraid to fight for our freedom and to fight to help keep our country safe. We are proud to call him our hero, and we are proud to share our hero with the world. And if it means that he will miss a part of our lives, and if it means that we're connected by one phone call every two weeks, that's okay. Because, his sacrifice in the pursuit of peace in our world means that one day there will be families who won't have to "remember" through pictures and burial anniversaries; instead, families will be surrounded amongst eachother remembering to always be thankful for all the heroes who gave of themselves to protect others. My heart goes out to all the victims of 9/11 and their families, and to all our military heroes and their families.
All I can say to your blog is: Thank you for your support. I am currently in Iraq, and have been humbled by the support we servicemembers receive.
Thank you
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