Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Thank You Spouses of Our Military

My DVR has become a good friend.  I just watched Lisa Ling's "Our America" on OWN.  This program was about our returning servicemen/woman ( I will say say men from now on and wives, because that is what the biggest percent is.  I do know our female soldiers are just as affected.)  from various war fronts, affected by PTSD.  Post Traumatic Stress Disorder   This was a one week program to reach these men at their core.  To give them some tools to release their demons.  To teach these couples how to be partners again.

Veteran's Day is Friday.  More and more I think about the families of these soldiers.

                                                                    
                                                                         From Google...
                                                                                                
I learned that  18  ( I think that was the number)  veterans/soldiers commit suicide everyday.   Everyday!  We have lost more returning soldiers to suicide than in combat in both Iraq and Afghanistan together.  This breaks my heart.

I wanted to say Thank You for your service  to the spouses of these soldiers and Marines.  ( Marines do not call themselves soldiers.  They are Marines.  They are also never a "former" Marine.  Once a Marine, always a Marine.   Can you tell I live in a Marine town?)   So when I say soldiers, yes my Marine friends, I know who you are.

We know so much more than we did years ago when the soldiers of my generation were returning from Vietnam. These men are still feeling the affects of their war. That's not even getting into the politics they faced coming home from a war most were drafted into entering.   Our military today volunteered to put themselves in harm's way.  Their spouses volunteered to support them. How selfless is that?    The result is still the same.  These soldiers experienced sights, did things, and felt things, that even with the best of training, years later, they are still trying to digest.

                                                                
                                                    Vietnam Memorial close to "The Wall"


I heard one wife explain it so well.  She said the wives were in the "kill zone", of the fallout, of their husband's experiences.   At best, their loved one came home well, and does not suffer from PTSD. While their husbands were deployed, these women have been the Mother and the Father,  the disciplinarian, the chauffeur, the accountant, and in most cases, held down a job of their own, as well.   They have lived in two completely different worlds for 6 months, 9 months, or a year.  Becoming a couple again can be difficult, if both are used to giving the orders and having them carried out.  One soldier told his wife "You are as much of a soldier as I was."  Isn't that true? 


My heart, my respect and my gratitude belongs with these men and women.  They have both serviced and are still serving this country.

10 comments:

Intense Guy said...

I hope those veterans in Iraq and Afghanistan come home very soon (today wouldn't be too soon) and can manage to reintegrate with a supportive society (and not one that stints on their health care and pensions like it has since "day one").

I suspect we would have a lot less of this sort "adventurism" if our elected leaders including the C-in-C were required to lead from the front - putting themselves in danger might (just might) make them "think" a little harder and lot better and find other ways to settle differences.

Chatty Crone said...

I want to thank the veterans too and their wives - my husband is a vet, but way before we married. FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!

Sandie

Far Side of Fifty said...

It is really hard for wives..even if their husbands do not go overseas..being in the military is very demanding..wives and children sometimes come second and third to duty. I was not a very good military wife..but I did tolerate it for 26 years until he retired. I hated being a single parent while he was gone who knows where, I hated that he missed birthdays and special days, I hated how the military treats spouses and children:(

Kathy said...

Hats off to our military! It's a tough life in so many ways.

Sweet Tea said...

What a huge price these families pay.
We are truly endebted.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

We have an outstanding military and I hope they know how much we appreciate them and all the veterans who've served in the past. My hubby is a veteran, I met him just as he was getting out of the army and we were married not long after that.

Kathy ... aka Nana said...

Thank you for the reminder of the sacrifices made ... not just by our military men and women, but their families, too. We owe them so much.

Rae said...

Well said! Yes, we owe a debt of gratitude to our soldiers and their families.

Mary said...

You have really put into words how I feel so deeply. I wish I could've watched that documentary, I am unable to get OWN. I bet it was good.

Maryhocam said...

It is important that we do not forget the service given by so many, those actively serving or wh have served and those who have supported them.

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