I grew up in a family connected to the military, but I didn’t experience military life day to day. My father served in the Army at the end of World War II and returned to civilian life before I was born. Several relatives followed similar paths. My uncles served in the Vietnam War, and my cousins joined the National Guard.
I understood military service in theory, and I respected it. However, I did not fully understand the weight military life places on families. Families make quiet sacrifices that rarely receive recognition.
A NEW CHAPTER — AND A NEW CALLING
Everything changed in my early forties.
At that time, I began dating the man who would become my husband, and through him I entered an entirely new world. His life reflected service, discipline, and commitment to something greater than himself.
Becoming a military wife did not simply change my life. It reshaped it. That season marked the beginning of a new chapter and continues to influence who I am today.
My husband served a remarkable 42 years in the United States military. He started as a Private and rose to the rank of Full-Bird Colonel, an achievement few service members attain. His career took him across the world many times. He served in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Iraq, and Poland. He completed 13 parachute jumps, trained medics, and became a flight surgeon.
As a Physician Assistant, he cared for others in demanding environments. He treated injuries, managed medical crises, and supported soldiers and civilians who depended on him. His career required discipline, sacrifice, and resilience.
THE SIDE OF SERVICE FEW PEOPLE SEE
Only about one percent of Americans choose to serve in the military. That statistic surprises many people. What often goes unspoken is this: military service never belongs to just one person. Behind every service member stands a family that serves as well.
Our family navigated missed holidays, sudden schedule changes, long deployments, and goodbyes. Military life demands flexibility, resilience, and strength, often without recognition.
SERVICE ACROSS GENERATIONS
Our daughter Kristen chose to serve in the National Guard, and I felt a new sense of pride. For six years, she balanced her military commitment with her education. Her serviced helped cover most of her college expenses. She stepped into a role that many never consider, and she carried it with strength and determination.
Years later, our youngest son chose his own path and joined the Army as an active-duty soldier. At just 19 years old, he completed a rotation in Romania and Germany.
He was still very young, yet he carried responsibilities many adults never face.
His path differed from that of many high school graduates. He explored several options, including college, trades, and military service. Given our family’s deep military connection and my husband’s experience and guidance, the Army became the right choice for him.
He embraced the opportunity and thrived. He completed Basic Training, earned his Air Assault wings, and pursued his goals with focus and determination.
I’ve watched him grow into a disciplined, accountable, and resilient young man.
MORE THAN RECOGNITION
We honor veterans on Veterans Day and those currently serving on Armed Forces Day. On Memorial Day, we honor those who lost their lives in service to our country.
For me, honoring service extends far beyond a single day.
I have experienced the pride, purpose, and honor that come from supporting the people I love who serve something greater than themselves.
This life has changed me in ways I never expected.
It has taught me not to take freedom for granted and revealed the quiet beauty of sacrifice. Most of all, it has deepened my gratitude not just for those who wear the uniform, but also for the families who stand beside them every step of the way.
I do not wear the uniform, but I stand behind the ones who answer the call. I support them and share their pride, purpose, and commitment.
I am a proud military wife, military mother, and military stepmother. I am proud of the legacy of service that lives within our family.