Re: Dedicated to all the Military Wives, past and present, and their familes....

October 9, 2004

this was awesome-----and very timely, personally. Thank you. My husband was a

Marine in Nam- 36 months in Nam....the nephew I had living with me from 90-95

just finished his 2nd tour in Iraq.

- In , " Jan =^..^= " <azmomacat2@y...> wrote:

> A Military Wife's Turn....

>

> 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 and 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 12-18 hr hour 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.

>

> It wasn't always in vogue to be patriotic. Sept. 11 helped turn that tide, but

flags are fading around here again.

>

> My husband is TDY (temporary duty) right now.

> I'm not allowed to tell you where.

>

> I'm 26 days into a 109-day TDY.

>

> There have been too many times I have needed him here.

>

> Forget the running of the home fort-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.

>

> Then 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 and give your opinion because of the military

families like ours.

>

> 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're the threads it's woven with.

>

> Have a great/safe day................

>

> ~ " If I could reach up and hold a star for every time you've made me smile, the

entire evening sky would be in the palm of my hand. "

>

October 9, 2004