*I realize that it is no longer Sunday, but this is more fitting for today.*
I feel I must confess something: I never understood what being in the military meant....until I married someone who made the choice to join the Air Force. After finding out, I realized that I could never be so brave and take that plunge.
I guess you could say I was naive growing up. I come from a small town, not that many people are in the military and the only real affiliation our town has is the Army Guard, but it is a very small unit (or so it seems).
I didn't even think about the military until I was 13 and 9/11 happened. I remember in the few years after that tragic event, when Veteran's Day came around, there were pictures up on the screen at church of those serving overseas. Yes I thought it would be hard to be away for 12-15 (or more) months, but I never really thought about what they were doing or what the effects of being in the military were.
When my boyfriend at the time told me he wanted to join the Air Force and was going to go through a program called ROTC, I still had no idea what this truly meant. I just went with the flow of things because I didn't understand. When we got married a year later, I was enlightened a little bit more, but not to the full extent.
My husband finished his school and that was when reality sunk in. Since that time I have learned lots about what it means to be in the military. I know I still have lots to learn and experience, but for now this is what I've found.
To be in the military you must:
-Be brave, you never know the trials and tribulations you will face.
-Be willing to be selfless, everyone comes before you.
-Be willing to sacrifice so much.
-Be willing to miss birthdays, anniversaries, births, deaths, weddings, milestones in your loved ones' lives, and holidays.
-Be willing to fight a fight you may not believe in.
-Be willing to serve under someone you may not agree with.
-Be willing to fight for those that think what you are doing is wrong, when in reality you are fighting for them to have that exact opinion and be able to express it.
-Be willing to cast aside your own beliefs, morals, and feelings just so that you can get the job done, it is after all, what you chose to do.
-Be willing to spend sleepless nights away from your family, serving our country thousands of miles away, wishing you could hold your loved ones in your arms.
-Be willing to say "yes sir" or "yes ma'am" when all you want to really say is,"You couldn't pay me enough to do that."
-Be willing to wear the same uniform whether it is 120 degrees out or -20 degrees out.
-Be adaptable.
-Be willing to experience new places and new people because that is what your job has asked of you.
-Be willing to stand strong when all you want to do is go cry in the corner.
-Be willing to see things you never thought in your life that you'd see.
-Be willing to continue fighting when you've just watched your best friend, or your favorite leader die before your very eyes.
-Be willing to do the unthinkable and take another person's life without missing a beat.
-Be willing to say, "I'm not ok. I need help."
-Be willing to live among people that are cloaked in patriotism and show you and your family the true sense of the word "community."
And lastly,
-Be willing to give the ultimate sacrifice: your life. Because by taking that oath, you have agreed to fight for our freedom, no matter what the cost.
I could go on and on because being in the military means you are going to enter in a very different kind of world. It may not be easy all the time, it may not be fun, and it may cause you your life, but for those that chose to take that oath, I have the utmost respect. As I said before, I could never do it.
So thank you to all of those that have served (maybe even to the death) and are currently serving. YOU are true heroes in every sense of the word.
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