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As a member of the United States Armed Forces I often hear: “Thank you for your service.” But how often do we thank a military spouse?
To do our duty we must leave all that is home behind us.
Who thanks those who work behind the scenes to make the home life of military personnel less of a concern so military members can focus on the task at hand? Soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen, Coast Guards — they are all people with personal lives and personal affairs. When we are overseas we have to leave everything behind. I can’t tell you how important it is that things at home are “squared away.” Soldiers worried about their children, their home, their bills or their parents will not be able to focus on the mission. This isn’t a job you can do half-heartedly or amid distraction.
So we leave our spouses alone and charge them with most if not all of the home duties. They don’t wear a uniform. Most civilians don’t understand the sacrifices a military spouse makes on a daily basis. I would like to take today, Military Spouse Appreciation Day, as an opportunity to thank my spouse.
Adrienne wakes every morning knowing this could be the day I get called away. She knows that every day could be the last day of the kind of life that she has come to know and cherish. She has wrestled with the solemn and scary parts of my job and has been forced to prepare for what would happen if I was killed in the line of duty. She knows my commitment is not one that is taken lightly. It’s time for others to recognize her commitment as a military spouse is similarly profound.
“The Army so often demands to come first in our lives”
Adrienne, I want you to know that I respect your commitment and dedication. I know it’s not easy, and I know you do not have to do it. But you do, and you do it with a smile and a supportive stance that is greatly appreciated. I know that learning about life in the Army wasn’t easy for you, and I know you don’t always understand how and why things are done the Army way, but your patience and flexibility empowers me. I admire and respect your compassion and your selflessness. You sacrifice just as I do when duty calls, and you share in my frustrations as they inevitably arise. I do not envy you in the task of dealing with my demanding employer. The Army so often demands to come first in our lives.
Adrienne I love you, as much for how you feel about me as for what you do for me. But I may love you most for what you are and what you mean to me. You give me the strength so that I can do my duty.
Sincerely,
Sergeant Bradley Smith
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7 Comments
beautifully put…
Thank you for writing this SGT. Smith! Its nice to hear from the men we love that we are valued:) Proud Navy brat,Army National Guard wife and Marine sister.
thank you so much for helping us understand how hard it is for both sides. We appreciate all of you for what you do, what you forfeit andmostly for what you stand for. without people like you, we would be in tremendous trouble. It is wonderful to read how much you appreciate your wife. May God Bless you all and may you all have a long and happy life.
Wonderful letter, I am touched. Thank you to all military families those in the field and those at home. I am proud of the relatives in my family that have served in the past and are serving now. Thank you to to the relatives at home too for your hard work on the home front.
To my wonderful, new daughter in-law who always has a smile on her face. Congratulations on your recent marriage to a great guy:) To bad he was deployed a week later but your love has always kept you both strong. You will have a great life together. Happy Military Spouse Appreciation Day.
To my wonderful, new daughter-in-law who always has a smile on her face. Congratulations on your recent marriage to a great guy:) To bad he was deployed a week later but with your strong love for each other you guys will have great life together. HAPPY MILITARY SPOUSE APRECIATION DAY. LOL tons
To my daughter in law be brave and keep smiling. Our Anthony who was just deployed for the second time yesterday May 11,2012 will return to you and your beautiful daughter Maddie and to me his mother who worries everyday. To my sister in law who lived the military life herself with 2 children, and continues to live it with my brother who thankfully is home safe from his recent deployment. Military spouses male or female make the ultimate sacrifice for our soldiers and we forget to hug and thank them for it. I hope and pray all our soldiers return home safely to the families that they had to leave for so many months. We pray it all ends soon!!!