Military Families and Spouses

Military Families and Spouses. . We honor military families and spouses of all soldiers, sailors, airman, and marines. All military families and spouses have the recurring nightmare of the dreaded military vehicle driving to their door with the chaplain to inform them of their loved one's death. The support and love of families and spouses are crucial to give the deployed the strength, courage, morale, and fortitude to complete their mission and deployment. The sacrifices of all military members, along with their families and spouses, to answer the call of duty, is what makes this country great! Families and spouses make very significant personal sacrifices during their loved one's military service in support of their country. Families stand by their side throughout all of the challenges of military life and continue to support them as they navigate challenges of veteran life. The service that we thank our veterans for is made possible by their family members' stability, resilience, and sacrifice. Families continue to serve when their loved ones leave military service providing veterans daily emotional, social, and personal support. Military spouses "Hold down the fort", become single parents, and maintain family stability frequently on meager salaries. Before we had needed gender equality in the military, this poem was written during World War II to honor military families and wives:, "You wear no uniforms, no blues or arm greens. But you are in the military in the ranks that are rarely seen. You have no rank upon your shoulders. Salutes you do not give. But the military world is the place in which you live. You are not in the chain of command, orders you do not get, but your husband does this, you cannot forget. You are not the one who fires the weapon, who puts your life on the line, but your job is just as tough... You are the one that is left behind. Your husband is a patriot, a brave and pride filled man. And the calls to serve our country, not all will understand. Behind the lines you see the things that are needed to keep this country free. Your husband makes the sacrifice, but so do you and your family. You love the man you married, soldiering is his life. You stand among the silent ranks known as military wives!