Military Wife Forward #2855

Whining was not the intent? You could have fooled me. This is actually one of the better military wife forwards as it doesn't make me want to immediately spew. But still, if you realize that your husband's gig protects freedom of speech, then you should embrace the fact that other opinions are out there. If you can't, then what the hell is your husband fighting for? And, sadly, I've found that a large chunk of military spouses are very much of the if-you-don't-agree-with-my-point-of-view-then-you-are-not-worth-my-time kind of people. Especially when you walk into a coffee, fresh from the polls, wearing your "I voted for John Kerry" sticker.

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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, 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.

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.