Author Unknown - (I thought this was a beautiful poem...pretty much sums up the feelings of an Army Wife)
Another sleepless night for me
Alone upon our bed
I see again his every move
And those last words he said.
So proud he looked in uniform
Convinced that he was right
He had to go, for duty called
There was a war to fight.
Those last few days before he left
I hid the pain inside
We talked and loved and even joked
He never knew I cried.
And when the dreaded moment came
He kissed me tenderly.
His eyes met mine, and then he said,
"I'll be all right, you'll see."
I tried to smile and nod my head
Afraid to let him see
The terror that I feared if he
Did not come back to me.
I see him as he walked away
I tried to say 'good-bye'
But words were trapped within my throat
All I could do was cry.
The weeks have stretched now into months
And every night I pray
That God will keep him in his care
And bring him home one day.
At last I drift off into sleep
In dreams I see him more
I turn around and smile to hear
His footsteps at the door.
Restless I sleep, and then I wake
Not opening my eyes
I move my hand to reach for him
But no one near me lies.
I will not give in to despair
With each new day I'll cope
For I know he would want me to
Be brave and live with hope.
I hear the voices loud and strong
Who criticize the war
While yelling men are fools to go
They stay on freedoms shore.
A man who cowers under fear
Will die a thousand deaths
While men like mine for freedom fight
And offer their last breaths.
I hope perhaps in fifty years
When men remember war
They won't forget the wives who dreamed
Of footsteps at the door.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Monday, December 21, 2009
Afghanistan - a new from an Army Wife
So I’m a wife…an Army wife. Day to day it’s proving to be more difficult everyday. Having your husband gone with little contact is quite the challenge especially with a one year old running around day and night. Currently, my husband is training to be a military police officer and Fort Leonard Wood, MO (Fort Lost in the Woods, Misery) has him until April. Right now, I only have to worry about him enduring bully drill sergeants and exhaustion. But he’s safe. I count my blessings everyday that my husband is safe.
President Obama’s words on December 1st affected no one like they affected those who will be sending their loved ones off (or the possibility of sending their loved ones off). My heart goes out to you all. My husband finishes training April of 2010. President Obama has stated that most of the 30,000 troops will deploy early next year “moving at the fastest pace possible”. I pray every night he’ll get lucky enough and miss the deployment until later in his career. Selfishly, I want my husband to myself for a while. 5 months of training and then moving to our duty station (which could be anywhere in the world)…I just want him to be home for a while.
“Early 2010” could mean March…April…May. Don’t get my wrong. Deployment is the reason our troops train like they do. It’s the reason they form such close bonds with each other. It’s what WE signed up for. I know it will come; I just need some time before that happens.
With that said…I truly support President Obama’s decision to send an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan (which FYI…I don’t think I can listen to another “he said he was pulling all of our troops out and now look at what he’s doing!”…What our President said was he wanted to get our troops withdrawn from Iraq but “Afghanistan is a war of necessity”). If I didn’t support the troop surge…what would I be supporting? Just think about this…there are men and woman over there who are being killed simply because they don’t have the man power or gun power to help defend themselves. Most of all…what I do support are my husband’s comrades. My husbands (and mine for that matter) newly found family. Those men and women are over there in the sandbox without the defenses they need. Those men and women who would gladly stand at my husbands back and defend him NEED the same from their comrades here at home. Our country needs to pull together for THEM if no one else.
I feel for the spouses “left behind”. Maybe with more man/gun power over there…there will be a more speedy result in Afghanistan but more importantly our loves ones (ALL OF THEM) will return to us safely.
God Bless all of our troops and those who support them. All of those “left behind” waiting…worrying…supporting your soldiers, God Bless you and you’re not alone.
With love,
Amanda
President Obama’s words on December 1st affected no one like they affected those who will be sending their loved ones off (or the possibility of sending their loved ones off). My heart goes out to you all. My husband finishes training April of 2010. President Obama has stated that most of the 30,000 troops will deploy early next year “moving at the fastest pace possible”. I pray every night he’ll get lucky enough and miss the deployment until later in his career. Selfishly, I want my husband to myself for a while. 5 months of training and then moving to our duty station (which could be anywhere in the world)…I just want him to be home for a while.
“Early 2010” could mean March…April…May. Don’t get my wrong. Deployment is the reason our troops train like they do. It’s the reason they form such close bonds with each other. It’s what WE signed up for. I know it will come; I just need some time before that happens.
With that said…I truly support President Obama’s decision to send an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan (which FYI…I don’t think I can listen to another “he said he was pulling all of our troops out and now look at what he’s doing!”…What our President said was he wanted to get our troops withdrawn from Iraq but “Afghanistan is a war of necessity”). If I didn’t support the troop surge…what would I be supporting? Just think about this…there are men and woman over there who are being killed simply because they don’t have the man power or gun power to help defend themselves. Most of all…what I do support are my husband’s comrades. My husbands (and mine for that matter) newly found family. Those men and women are over there in the sandbox without the defenses they need. Those men and women who would gladly stand at my husbands back and defend him NEED the same from their comrades here at home. Our country needs to pull together for THEM if no one else.
I feel for the spouses “left behind”. Maybe with more man/gun power over there…there will be a more speedy result in Afghanistan but more importantly our loves ones (ALL OF THEM) will return to us safely.
God Bless all of our troops and those who support them. All of those “left behind” waiting…worrying…supporting your soldiers, God Bless you and you’re not alone.
With love,
Amanda
Sunday, December 20, 2009
The Silent Ranks...
Unknown Author
I wear no uniforms, no blues or army greens.
But I am in the military in the ranks rarely seen.
I have no rank upon my shoulders, salutes I do not give.
But the military world is the place where I live.
I'm not in the chain of command, orders I do not get.
But my husband is the one who does, this I cannot forget.
I'm not the one who fires the weapon, who puts my life on the line.
But my job is just as tough. I'm the one that's left behind.
My husband is a patriot, a brave and prideful man,
And the call to serve his country, not all can understand.
Behind the lines I see the things needed to keep this country free.
My husband makes the sacrifice, but so do our kids and me.
I love the man I married. Patriotism is his life.
But I stand among the silent ranks known as the military wife.
I wear no uniforms, no blues or army greens.
But I am in the military in the ranks rarely seen.
I have no rank upon my shoulders, salutes I do not give.
But the military world is the place where I live.
I'm not in the chain of command, orders I do not get.
But my husband is the one who does, this I cannot forget.
I'm not the one who fires the weapon, who puts my life on the line.
But my job is just as tough. I'm the one that's left behind.
My husband is a patriot, a brave and prideful man,
And the call to serve his country, not all can understand.
Behind the lines I see the things needed to keep this country free.
My husband makes the sacrifice, but so do our kids and me.
I love the man I married. Patriotism is his life.
But I stand among the silent ranks known as the military wife.
Monday, December 14, 2009
OSUT (One Station Unit Training)
The first stop…the first true test. Not just a test for him, but a test for me as well.
Lets look back approximately a month ago, shall we? I’m standing in the official “Swearing In” room at the MEPS center. Seeing my husband swear in was kind of…a mix of emotions, I suppose. Bitter sweet, some may say. Proud that I’m married to a man who wants to be part of the “bigger picture” and frustrated/saddened that the Army now “owns” him and for the next 5 years, WE do as they say…and (as for those of you who know me…) I start balling once I hug him.
Then, I load myself, my son, & and my aunt into the car – we drive to the airport. I know what’s waiting for me there…more tears. Expecting to get some special time with my husband before he boards, he comes into the airport from the shuttle bus – lead of his group. He has to coordinate 6 other people to get to the gate and board on time without flaw (I call it his first true test J). He was doing wonderfully until “miss little truck driver” decided she wanted nothing to do with getting orders from someone who was a “her”. She took off and just met everyone at the gate (upon arrival at the Saint Louis airport, she decided she wanted more time to eat her lunch…so got smoked by the drill instructor, big time).
Well, everyone arrived at the gate & boarded. No time for “special time”. We watched his plane leave and that was it.
I must say, that was the hardest week for me. I was in a serious slump. But, here I am…at the one month mark and I’m doing just great. I’m anxiously awaiting his arrival home for Christmas – he’ll be home for 2 weeks and then he goes back. But what an extremely special Christmas that will be! I don’t need a gift…mine will be walking off the plane in ACU’s J.
Our plans for 2 weeks? Spending special time together…drinking a little too much (while our little guy is with a sitter, of course!)…see a movie, eat awesome holiday food,…relax, and share the beautiful Christmas season together. Also, on December 17th, our beautiful baby boy, Noah, will turn ONE! How exciting that Daddy will be home to celebrate his birthday!!!
We’ve come a long way to get to this step in Adam’s career and essentially, his dream. He’s finally there…I’m so proud of him!
As for me…this newly labeled “Army Wife”, I’ve never been more happy and proudJ. I plan to take every experience and learn from those experiences. I know there is much…much…much for me to learn along the way. In what ways can I best support my husband/soldier? How can I comfort him when he needs it? How can I give him encouragement when he needs it? And how can I be the best wife and mom possible? With all these questions, I keep coming back to the same answers…
Love and Faith. Prayer…
God Bless & thanks for reading –
Amanda
Lets look back approximately a month ago, shall we? I’m standing in the official “Swearing In” room at the MEPS center. Seeing my husband swear in was kind of…a mix of emotions, I suppose. Bitter sweet, some may say. Proud that I’m married to a man who wants to be part of the “bigger picture” and frustrated/saddened that the Army now “owns” him and for the next 5 years, WE do as they say…and (as for those of you who know me…) I start balling once I hug him.
Then, I load myself, my son, & and my aunt into the car – we drive to the airport. I know what’s waiting for me there…more tears. Expecting to get some special time with my husband before he boards, he comes into the airport from the shuttle bus – lead of his group. He has to coordinate 6 other people to get to the gate and board on time without flaw (I call it his first true test J). He was doing wonderfully until “miss little truck driver” decided she wanted nothing to do with getting orders from someone who was a “her”. She took off and just met everyone at the gate (upon arrival at the Saint Louis airport, she decided she wanted more time to eat her lunch…so got smoked by the drill instructor, big time).
Well, everyone arrived at the gate & boarded. No time for “special time”. We watched his plane leave and that was it.
I must say, that was the hardest week for me. I was in a serious slump. But, here I am…at the one month mark and I’m doing just great. I’m anxiously awaiting his arrival home for Christmas – he’ll be home for 2 weeks and then he goes back. But what an extremely special Christmas that will be! I don’t need a gift…mine will be walking off the plane in ACU’s J.
Our plans for 2 weeks? Spending special time together…drinking a little too much (while our little guy is with a sitter, of course!)…see a movie, eat awesome holiday food,…relax, and share the beautiful Christmas season together. Also, on December 17th, our beautiful baby boy, Noah, will turn ONE! How exciting that Daddy will be home to celebrate his birthday!!!
We’ve come a long way to get to this step in Adam’s career and essentially, his dream. He’s finally there…I’m so proud of him!
As for me…this newly labeled “Army Wife”, I’ve never been more happy and proudJ. I plan to take every experience and learn from those experiences. I know there is much…much…much for me to learn along the way. In what ways can I best support my husband/soldier? How can I comfort him when he needs it? How can I give him encouragement when he needs it? And how can I be the best wife and mom possible? With all these questions, I keep coming back to the same answers…
Love and Faith. Prayer…
God Bless & thanks for reading –
Amanda
Introduction to our journey!
I’m really excited to share my journey with you. I’m a 23 year old mom and Army Wife. Our Army journey began very recently ago (November 18, 2009). My husband is currently at training for 31B – Military Police in Fort Leonard Wood, MO. He will be there until April 2010. My husband is my hero and my best friend. He’s living his dream and I am, as well. I never thought at 23 years old I’d be happily married with a beautiful 1 year old boy who keeps me on my toes every waking hour!
Professional plan of mine?...School is in the horizon as soon as we get to our first duty station. I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up ;). Right now…my main focus is being the best mother and wife I can be.
I hope you’ll follow me on my journey as I document the joys, trails, frustrations, and whatever else may come from being an Army wife and mother.
God Bless,
Amanda -
Professional plan of mine?...School is in the horizon as soon as we get to our first duty station. I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up ;). Right now…my main focus is being the best mother and wife I can be.
I hope you’ll follow me on my journey as I document the joys, trails, frustrations, and whatever else may come from being an Army wife and mother.
God Bless,
Amanda -
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