The Brave & The Selfless

When my family members used to ask me as a teen if I would be joining the U.S. Military, as my father, sister, and uncles did - my response was always "No way, because I don’t want to wake up before sunrise to the sound of someone shouting at me every day and rushing me!” Ha! I was referring to boot camp, as if it was an indefinite situation. Now, when I think back to that response it reminds me that not everyone is cut out to defend our country, especially not me in my youth. For one- I dropped out of JROTC after my first day of training at the US Coast Guard Base in South Beach while in high school. Not proud of it, but I learned a lot about myself that day and my peers from around Miami-Dade County, who were eager to join the armed forces upon graduation.

Enlisting is a commitment from not only a brave person, but also a selfless person...a person who understands why sacrifices need to be made for the greater good. Enlisting is for people who are team players at their core and know the true meaning of camaraderie, especially as young adults signing up for the unknown.

While I did not have those qualities back then, I have come close just by observing the heroes in my family as I grew older. Over the years, my family’s service in the military expanded to include my siblings-in-law, cousins, and my first nephew- now wrapping up his freshman year of college in the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs (proud aunt alert!).

I also privately became the spouse of a USMC Veteran this year, my greatest honor aside from becoming a mother and stepmom several years ago. I have lovingly listened to him recount events from his deployment overseas- good and bad. I have been by his side through his symptoms of PTSD. I have witnessed his bravery in action in my not so brave moments, and I have admired his attention to detail in all that he does- from cooking lavish meals, ironing his clothes with pleasure, to eagerly teaching our kids the complexities of math, reading, and life skills.

While I did not experience life with him as a military spouse during his 9 years of service, I have the deepest gratitude and admiration for those spouses that supported and continue to support our troops in active duty, my mother and sister included. The spouses that have endured the struggles of living apart from their partners while they were deployed. The ones that experienced challenges finding employment as a spouse living overseas. And the spouses whose partners devastatingly did not return home.

Today 5/10/24, is Military Spouse Appreciation Day. If you know one, hug them (virtually is just fine). And there's more - this month is Military Appreciation Month. In my next post I will share a few ways you, your family, and friends can kickstart your involvement in support of our military this month and beyond. Bonus points if you involve your kids. They are our future.