My Memorial Day Tribute With A Twist

If you know what the following means...I honor you on this memorial day weekend.

TDY, PCS, BDU, Sponsor's ID,

If you know what it means to live in a different place every one to three years...this is for you.

If you know what it means to maintain a houssehold while your spouse is thousands of miles across the world...this is for you.

If you know what it feels like to be away from family and friends on holidays, birthdays and weddings...this is for you.

If you know what it means to be part of a community with bonds stronger than some families...this is for you.

If you are a military wife...this is for you!

When we watch the news and see units and soldiers being deployed overseas, lets not forget the strong men and women who are being left behind. Men and women who now become single parents for as long as a year or more. Men and women who have to be mom and dad, who have to juggle extreme responsibilites and who have to be ready to answer the question "When is mom or dad coming home."

Eventually this season ends and life returns to normal except for the wives who receive the visit that no one wants or expects. The visit that their soldier is not returning home. I was visiting with my aunt recently and she shared with me the day that she received that visit. The day that a uniformed officer knocked on her door and gave her news that her soldier had been wounded and was coming home. She was one of the lucky ones who had to make arrangements for medical care and not a funeral.

I had the honor of recently spending time with a group of military wives in Italy. It didn't take long for me to realize that I was in the precense of some amazing women. Strong women who loved their husbands and embraced their role of military wife with passion and zeal. They truly taught me more that weekend then they will ever know. They showed me how important it was to surround yourself with women who will love you, support you and be there whenever you need them the most. Their community was stronger then some families. Their support for one another is what I believe God has commanded of us all.

So on this memorial day weekend...I honor all of those who are serving and who have served...but I also want to honor the wives of those sailors and soldiers.

I truly believe when someone joins the military...the whole family is serving. So the next time you see a military person...thank them and their family.