An open letter to America's military spouses.

Published on November 23, 2005 By dharmagrl In Misc

To my sisters-in-arms,

I realize that some of you will be spending Thanksgiving alone this year, and this letter is aimed mainly at you.

I want you to know that I feel your pain. I know what it's like to be separated from the one you love most of all for the holidays. I know what it is to exchange whispered 'happy thanksgivings' down a monitored telephone line, to come to hate the operator who cuts in and tell you that you have one minute remaining, forcing you to say goodbyes and so longs that you're simply not ready to say yet. I know what it is to sit at a table, alone with your children, and have each of them cry because their daddy isn't there to eat with them...to have your youngest ask you with tears rolling down his cheeks whether his daddy will get to eat turkey and pie too.

I want you to know how thankful I am that you have taken on this burden so that me and mine can have our loved one home this year. I promise you that one year (probably next year) I will do the same for you. All I ask in return is that you remember me as I have remembered you.

I want you to feel proud of yourselves and the cause that you are supporting. Without us, our men couldn't go and do what their country requires them to do. We are the backbone of the military, we give them to strength to complete the mission. It's thoughts of us that carry them through the dark days of lonliness...some days, all they live for is to come home and see us again, to be wrapped up in our arms and our love. Be proud of yourselves, be proud of your men. I'm proud of you, America is proud of you. I went out wearing an Air Force sweatshirt today and was stopped 3 times by people who asked if my husband was in the service and then thanked me for what we do. People ARE proud of you, they DO appreciate what you do, despite what Ms Sheehan and her posse would have you believe.

I want you to feel your pain. I want you to cry if you need to. Don't hide your pain, don't sit on it. You won't achieve anything by that except more pain and misery. Let it out, share how you're feeling with someone. Email me, and I'll call you and you can lean on me...my shoulders are broad and I can share your load.

As a sit down to eat tomorrow, hopefully with my husband at my side, I will give thanks for you and your sacrifice.

I won't forget. I promise.

Comments

Locamama

on Nov 23, 2005

I just found out that my husband's flight leaves out tommorow at 12:30 pm. Why couldn't they leave later in the afternoon or evening so we could at least have dinner together? I have heard they are re-instating the 15 year retirement in the Navy. It's looking good to me.

dharmagrl

on Nov 23, 2005

I have heard they are re-instating the 15 year retirement in the Navy. It's looking good to me.

I have heard the same thing for the AF, and if that's true.....we've already decided that we're taking it. We're trying not to get our hopes up because to be honest, that deal sounds too good to be true. That would mean that he has 2 years left before he can retire...that would be fabulous.

Suspeckted

on Nov 23, 2005

Hi Dharma, first, thanks for reading my post. I'm not planning any big return to JU but if I like something I'm posting on myspace I might head over here and post the same thing.

Definitely makes me teary to read what you've written here. No political statements or debate stirs me to respond, only compassion for those who are without their family members. One of my students' mothers is an Iraqi-American and she has just completed her first 2 months of her 8 month stay there as a translator and civilian living assistant. For or against this war, everyone should feel thankful if they are so fortunate as to be able to be amongst all their loved ones these holdiays.

-Ted

Dr Guy

on Nov 23, 2005

I am deeply humbled by the sacrafices of all. WHile I never had to make them, my mother did often. And I thank every man, woman and sons and daughters serving in the armed forces, or with the armed services in a support role this day and every day.

Your tributes are true masterpieces! I think you do your brothers and sisters tribute with your writings.

dharmagrl

on Nov 23, 2005

Nice tribute, dharma!

PS--did you get your package today?

Thanks! Yes, I did....I sent you an email. The mailman doesn't usually come until about 3pm, but her delivered it safely!

Thanks again!

pseudosoldier

on Nov 23, 2005

I have heard they are re-instating the 15 year retirement in the Navy. It's looking good to me.

I hear they're bumping Army retirement to 22+, so maybe that evens out.

Okay, maybe not officially, but sometimes it seems like it.

SSG Geezer

on Nov 24, 2005

Good one K. You hit a long home run with this one.
RCP for SSG is 22 now.
GAFB is cool so far!

dharmagrl

on Nov 24, 2005

RCP for SSG is 22 now.

That's e-5, right? I dunno what it is for us...I know that as an e-6 Dave can retire at 20.

I got an email from someone this morning thanking me for this. Her husband is heading to Iraq in a few days......so I'd like to welcome her to the sisterhood. Thank you and your husband for your service, and godspeed to him on his travels. He's going to come home, you know. He WILL come back to you. Until then, you know where I am.

SSG Geezer

on Nov 24, 2005

E-6 is SSG inthe Army.
RCP was changed this year, E-7 is now 24 with exceptions for certain jobs, SF, Psuedo...

Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:

Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums.
Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
It's simple, and FREE!