Deployment, Military Appreciation Month, and Not Coming Home

A few days ago two airman from 'our' base were killed when their plane crashed in Afghanistan. They were young, brave, and doing the job their country  had called them to do. At their home base, protesters blocked the gates, yelling, waving signs, complaining about something those young men had no control over. While those protesters used their liberties to let airmen know that they were unhappy with them--when really they should be unhappy with the government, not actual military members--those men lived their final hours, serving their country.

Today, my husband was told "You're going to Afghanistan". There was no warning, no precedent, nothing to make him think he'd hear those words today. An hour later, he was told that he wasn't. Thanks to a clerical error, two men had been chosen for the job. One would go; one would stay. So this time, my husband stays. However, there's a possibility of a next time, of a next time when his name is the only one and it's his time to go, to serve, to fight for me, for you, for those protesters, and for the rest of the U.S..  And while I'll pray fervently every day and night that my husband comes home to me, there's always that lurking fear. Tonight, when my husband comes home, I'm going to hug  him tighter, and whisper a prayer of thanks that he is home.

May is military appreciation month, so lets appreciate our military. There are men and women all over the world and the U.S. who do difficult, exhausting, tedious, and dangerous jobs to keep us safe every day. And some days, they don't come home from work--wherever that may be. We can disagree with a government's policies, disagree with how defense is carried out, but we must admit that are being kept safe. Disagree with the policy, but always thank an airman, soldier, marine, coastie, or member of the navy. Only one percent of our nation is in the military, keeping us safe, defending us, and sometimes, sacrificing all.

Thank a military member or veteran this month.