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A salute to military spouses
Posted 5/5/2010 Updated 5/5/2010
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Commentary by Airman 1st Class Susan Moreno
11th Wing Public Affairs
5/5/2010 - BOLLING AIR FORCE BASE, D.C. -- My husband Anthony and I sometimes joke that in the 11 years we've known each other and the four years we've been married, we've already lived a lifetime. We've been there for each other through laughter and tears, Christmases and Sunday dinners at the in-laws', baby bottles and sleepless nights, vicious fights and precious memories. We would say that we'd already seen and done it all. Nothing could phase us. Nothing could break us. Nothing could compromise the deep kindred spiritual connection we felt when we were together.
But then there came a day when I had to do something without him by my side. I had to conjure up a personal strength to face a test that, if I proved myself, would set us on a course for happiness, independence and success for the rest of our lives.
Looking back on it now, basic military training was the equivalent of a split-second of my military career, but at the time, it felt like the hardest thing I would ever have to do.
Because we were apart for so long, it was the hardest thing either one of us ever had to do. While I was waking up to reveille at 4:45 a.m. every day, doing physical training first thing in the morning, going to classes and appointments and working my fingers to the bone, he was doing the same on the home front. Not only was he a full-time student and a full-time worker, he was also taking turns with his parents caring for our two young children. He was getting about as much sleep as I was then, maybe less.
Even though I didn't physically have him by my side during the time that I was away, he was still a vital part of an equal partnership. The same could be said for everyone who is or ever has been "married to the military."
It didn't occur to me until some time later that he was already being initiated into the life of a military spouse, even then. By being away from me for that length of time with no way to communicate with me other than by writing letters, Anthony was learning the hard way firsthand about the sacrifices that military spouses make all the time. It was the first of many times when we would be separated by duty, but still united by love.
Now, in addition to him being a wonderful husband and father and my best friend, I can take another special day out of the year-Military Spouses' Day-to thank him for all he does for our family. Military Spouses' Day has been celebrated the Friday before Mother's Day every year since 1984, to pay tribute to the spouses who play a vital role in the nation's defense.
While I committed myself to the military by taking an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, he indirectly took the same oath through the vows we made on our wedding day to honor and cherish one another.
More than anything we've ever faced together before, the military has tested us, and brought us closer together as a result. Having my husband by my side has not only made the ride more worthwhile, it's made it more fun. And it's reinforced what I've always known about him-I got it right the first time. |
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